Washington, D.C. — June 18, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump is set to issue a fresh executive order this week to extend the deadline for TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest the popular video-sharing platform’s U.S. operations. The White House announced the move on Tuesday, emphasizing the administration’s intent to ensure that the app remains available while safeguarding Americans’ data privacy.
The new order grants a 90-day extension to ByteDance, marking the third time Trump has postponed enforcement of a ban on TikTok initially backed by Congress and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“As he has said many times, President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in an official release. “This extension will last 90 days, which the Administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure.”
Background: A Long-Running Battle Over TikTok
The saga surrounding TikTok’s operations in the United States has unfolded over several years, largely centered on concerns over data privacy, national security, and the app’s Chinese ownership. ByteDance, TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, has repeatedly denied sharing user data with the Chinese government. Still, U.S. lawmakers and intelligence officials remain skeptical.
Trump’s renewed executive order follows his earlier move in April, when he granted a 75-day reprieve after an expected deal to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets to an American consortium collapsed. That proposed spin-off, backed by major tech and investment firms, fell apart after China abruptly withdrew support in response to new tariffs imposed by Trump’s administration.
“I probably will extend it again,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One early Tuesday as he returned from the Group of Seven summit in Canada. “We’re working on it. I think Xi [President Xi Jinping] will ultimately approve the deal.”
This marks a stark contrast to Trump’s earlier hardline stance on Chinese tech companies. His current approach suggests a more pragmatic path as he attempts to secure a resolution that aligns with both national interests and public sentiment.
A Personal Stake in TikTok
Interestingly, Trump’s position on TikTok has evolved alongside his growing popularity on the app. Since joining the platform last year, he has amassed more than 15 million followers, making him one of the most followed political figures on TikTok. His presence there has allowed him to engage directly with younger voters, a demographic that has traditionally leaned away from him.
“I’ve got a warm spot for TikTok,” Trump said in January. “The creativity, the energy — it’s incredible. Young Americans are using it in ways that no one imagined a few years ago.”
While national security remains a priority, Trump’s fondness for the app and its impact on his campaign visibility may have contributed to the repeated extensions.
Congressional and Judicial Pressure
Congress had previously passed legislation mandating that TikTok divest from ByteDance or face an outright ban in the U.S. That law was challenged in court but ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that national security concerns justified government intervention in foreign-owned digital platforms.
Despite the court ruling, enforcement of the ban has remained fluid, largely due to Trump’s executive discretion and ongoing efforts to secure a divestment deal.
“We don’t want to punish millions of Americans who use TikTok every day,” Leavitt said. “But we also can’t ignore the risks of foreign control over sensitive personal data.”
The current extension appears to be a balancing act — keeping the app live while keeping pressure on ByteDance to strike a deal.
China’s Role and Uncertain Future
Whether China will cooperate this time remains unclear. Trump has expressed optimism that President Xi Jinping will ultimately approve a new deal, but diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing remain tense following recent tariff escalations and technology disputes.
The Chinese government had previously introduced export restrictions that prevented ByteDance from selling TikTok’s algorithm — widely regarded as the app’s most valuable asset — without prior approval from Beijing. This remains a major sticking point in any potential deal.
ByteDance has not publicly commented on the extension or current negotiations.
Possible Scenarios Ahead
Analysts say the next three months will be crucial for determining TikTok’s future in the United States. Several outcomes are possible:
- Successful divestment: A U.S.-based buyer or investment group acquires TikTok’s American operations, and the app continues with minimal disruption.
- Algorithm licensing: TikTok retains its algorithm through a licensing deal that satisfies both U.S. and Chinese regulators.
- National ban enforcement: If a deal fails to materialize, Trump may be forced to follow through with the full enforcement of the ban, potentially shutting down TikTok in the U.S.
Legal scholars have also questioned how many times Trump can extend the ban under executive authority. While there’s no explicit legal limit, repeated delays could draw challenges from lawmakers or advocacy groups pressing for decisive action.
Youth Engagement and 2024 Politics
With the 2024 presidential election looming, Trump’s connection to TikTok could be strategically significant. His team has been using the platform to reach Gen Z voters, promote campaign messages, and counter narratives in mainstream media.
“TikTok is reshaping political discourse,” said Rachel Darden, a digital strategist based in New York. “If Trump finds a way to preserve it, he may score major points with younger voters who don’t engage with traditional political platforms.”
Conclusion
As Trump prepares to sign yet another extension to TikTok’s divestment deadline, the future of one of the world’s most influential apps remains uncertain. What’s clear, however, is that the former president sees value — both politically and personally — in keeping TikTok online, even amid high-stakes negotiations with foreign powers and mounting domestic pressure.
With 90 more days on the clock, all eyes are now on Washington, Beijing, and Silicon Valley as the tech world awaits a resolution that could define the future of digital sovereignty and cross-border media platforms.
