US President-elect Donald Trump has reversed his stance on banning TikTok, a move that has surprised many experts and users alike. Initially, Trump led the effort to ban the popular video-sharing app, citing national security concerns. However, in a sudden shift, Trump announced that he would issue an executive order after taking office to delay the ban, allowing TikTok to remain available.
The decision comes as tech companies, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have been seeking to improve their relationships with Trump ahead of his inauguration. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has also been working to curry favor with Trump, meeting with him at Mar-a-Lago in December and presenting itself to the president-elect over the weekend.
Experts say that Trump’s reversal may be a strategic move to win over users who are increasingly turning to social media platforms. TikTok boasts 170 million users worldwide, many of whom use the app for news, entertainment, and financial purposes. Trump has acknowledged the platform’s appeal, particularly among young voters, and credits it with helping him grow his following.
However, not everyone is pleased with Trump’s sudden change of heart. Senator Tom Cotton warned that extending the deadline for ByteDance to sell would be illegal and could lead to severe consequences. Experts also note that an executive order cannot override a law passed by Congress, which remains in effect.
As Trump prepares to take office, his reversal on TikTok has sparked debate about the role of social media in American politics. While some see it as a pragmatic move, others view it as a sign of Trump’s willingness to prioritize his own interests over national security concerns.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-da11df6d59c17e2c17eea40c4042386d