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Trump Asks Supreme Court to Delay TikTok Ban for Potential Political Resolution

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President-elect Donald Trump has called on the U.S. Supreme Court to delay the implementation of a law that would ban the popular social media app TikTok or compel its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to a U.S. entity. The law, set to take effect on January 19, 2025, would force divestment or result in a nationwide ban on TikTok, which has over 170 million users in the United States.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the case on January 10, but Trump’s legal team has requested a stay on the law’s deadline to allow his incoming administration time to explore a political resolution to the matter. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute,” said his lawyer, D. John Sauer, who is also the president-elect’s nominee for U.S. solicitor general. “Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline… to permit President Trump’s incoming administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution.”

This stance represents a reversal from Trump’s earlier position in 2020 when he attempted to ban TikTok and force its sale due to concerns about its Chinese ownership. However, during his presidential campaign, Trump appeared to soften his approach, meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in December and expressing a “warm spot” for the app. Trump even credited TikTok with helping him gain billions of views during his campaign.

TikTok and ByteDance have contested the law, arguing that the U.S. government has mischaracterized their ties to China. The company maintains that U.S. user data and content moderation decisions are handled domestically, with data stored on Oracle-operated servers in the United States. Despite these assurances, the U.S. Justice Department and most lawmakers argue that Chinese control of TikTok poses a national security risk.

Opponents of the ban, including free speech advocates, have voiced concerns that the legislation echoes censorship practices of authoritarian regimes. However, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, supported by 22 state attorneys general, filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold the law, emphasizing the importance of addressing national security risks associated with Chinese influence over the app.

The outcome of this case could have significant implications for U.S.-China relations, free speech, and the future of TikTok in America. For now, Trump’s request seeks to buy time for a potential diplomatic or legislative resolution as the nation awaits the Court’s decision.

Nippon Steel Extends Closing Date for U.S. Steel Acquisition

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Nippon Steel, Japan’s leading steelmaker, announced on Thursday that it has extended the closing date for its planned $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel. The new estimated completion date is now set for the first quarter of 2025, revised from the initially projected third or fourth quarter of 2024.

The extension comes as the U.S. foreign investment committee escalated the decision on whether to approve or block the deal to President Joe Biden. Biden has 15 days to make a determination. Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have publicly expressed opposition to the acquisition.

In its statement, Nippon Steel urged for a “fair and fact-based evaluation” of the purchase, expressing confidence that the acquisition would “protect and grow U.S. Steel.”

The company also noted that the antitrust review by the U.S. Department of Justice is ongoing, but no timeline for its conclusion has been provided.

 

Senators Request Biden to Grant ByteDance 90-Day Extension on TikTok Sale Deadline

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Democratic Senator Ed Markey and Republican Senator Rand Paul have called on President Joe Biden to extend by 90 days a looming January 19 deadline that requires China-based ByteDance to sell the U.S. assets of its popular short-video app TikTok or face a nationwide ban.

Their request comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear ByteDance and TikTok’s legal challenge against the law mandating the sale. Arguments in the case are scheduled for January 10. In a joint letter to Biden, the senators argued that the law’s uncertain future and its implications for free expression warrant the 90-day reprieve.

Background on the Controversy

The contentious legislation was passed by Congress in April and signed into law by Biden. It stems from national security concerns raised by the Justice Department, which has argued that TikTok’s access to vast amounts of user data—including locations and private messages—makes it a significant threat. The department also raised concerns about ByteDance’s potential to manipulate content visible to American users.

TikTok, however, has denied these allegations, maintaining that it does not pose an imminent threat to U.S. security. The company and its parent, ByteDance, argue that the law violates the First Amendment’s protections of free speech.

Political Reactions

The debate over TikTok has divided lawmakers. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, in a brief filed with the Supreme Court, urged the court to reject any delay in enforcing the law, likening TikTok to a “hardened criminal.” Similarly, other senators, such as Republican Josh Hawley and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, insist that ByteDance must comply with the legislation.

On the other hand, Markey and Paul’s appeal highlights concerns about free expression and the impact of a potential TikTok ban on its 170 million American users.

Trump’s Reversal on TikTok

In a surprising turn, Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020, has shifted his stance. During this year’s presidential race, Trump expressed a newfound fondness for TikTok, stating that he has “a warm spot” for the app and would “take a look” at the matter if elected. Trump will assume office on January 20, just one day after the current TikTok sale deadline.

Next Steps

With the Supreme Court set to deliberate on the matter and the Biden administration under pressure to extend the deadline, the future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance. Neither the White House nor TikTok has commented on the senators’ request.