WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump filed a brief on Friday requesting the Supreme Court to delay a law that could ban TikTok on January 20 unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sells it. Trumpβs legal team argued for more time to address the issue, highlighting the complexity of the case and seeking room for a political resolution.
During his first term, Trump opposed TikTok, citing national security concerns over potential Chinese government access to user data and manipulation of content. He pushed for a US company to purchase the app, with the government sharing in the sale price. His successor, Joe Biden, signed a law to ban TikTok, citing similar concerns.
However, Trump has since changed his stance. In a recent press conference, he expressed support for TikTok, stating, “I have a warm spot for TikTok,” and suggesting that the app offers necessary competition against platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Trump also met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew earlier this month and has voiced his preference for competition in the social media space.
