Donald Trump says he will 'most likely' give TikTok a 90-day reprieve

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stated that he would "likely" grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve upon taking office to avoid a potential ban. In the final days of the Biden administration, the app, with its 170 million users in the United States, has been the subject of tense anticipation as a scheduled shutdown looms on Sunday local time.

Trump, in an interview with NBC, said, "A 90-day extension is very likely to happen because it’s appropriate." He also indicated, "I may be announcing that on Monday, if I decide to do it." This suggests that Trump may take action upon assuming office to postpone the TikTok ban.

The app, owned by a Chinese company, has captivated nearly half of Americans, provided a boost to small businesses, and shaped online culture. TikTok stated on Friday that it would shut down in the U.S. on Sunday unless the Biden administration assured companies like Apple and Google that they would not face enforcement actions when the ban takes effect. According to a law passed last year and unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday, the platform must sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or shut down its U.S. operations by Sunday to address concerns that it poses a national security threat.

The White House dismissed TikTok’s comments on Friday as a stunt, and on Saturday, reiterated that the responsibility for action lies with the incoming Trump administration, increasing the likelihood of a Sunday shutdown. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement, "We do not believe there is any reason for TikTok or any other company to take action in the coming days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday." TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the White House's new statement.

The Chinese embassy in Washington accused the U.S. on Friday of using unfair national power to suppress TikTok. A spokesperson said, "China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests." Before the ban takes effect, users of the app have been bidding farewell, with some filming themselves frantically scrolling through screens or sharing final secrets with fans. Fitness influencer Brittany Williams said in a video to her 64,000 followers, “Does anyone know if the TikTok ban is Sunday or do we have all day Sunday to keep being addicted? I need to plan ahead.”

Supreme Court justices upheld the ban in a unanimous ruling on Friday. Companies that provide services to TikTok or host the app could face legal liability if Mr. Biden does not formally announce a 90-day extension of the deadline. It remains unclear whether TikTok's business partners, including Apple, Google, and Oracle, will continue to work with it before Trump takes office on Monday. Trump, who helped initiate the U.S. action against TikTok at the end of his first term, had told reporters he would ban the app.