Donald Trump in major TikTok ban move as he makes special request of Supreme Court
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Incoming US President Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to delay a potential incoming TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office - and has declared himself "one of the most powerful, prolific, and influential users of social media in history.".
In a major move that would have sent shockwaves throughout the social media industry, the United States' number one court was set to bring to pass a law in mid-January that would have banned the China-owned app that is now dominating teenagers' online lives.
The ban was scheduled to take effect just one day before Trump was set to take office for the second time on January 19, 2025. In a 25-page brief filed with the court, Trump asked the nine justices for a stay on the deadline so his administration could “pursue a negotiated resolution” that would “obviate the need” for the justices to issue a ruling on the case.
The US Congress passed a bipartisan law back in April of this year, that set a nine-month deadline for the Chinese company that owns TikTok to rid itself of its interest in the app or see it banned from American app stores. Trump's lawyers made a filing to the court today, and said the president-elect was known for "consummate deal-making expertise.".
They appeared to be arguing that Trump could negotiate a resolution that would save TikTok from having to be banned while also addressing the US's national security concerns. They said Trump had the "political will" to do this. Congress's bill highlighted numerous national security concerns over the harvesting of US teens' data and influence on US society.
