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Trump Security Adviser Open to Continued Chinese Ownership of TikTok Under Certain Conditions

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Incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz suggested that President-elect Donald Trump may consider allowing TikTok to remain under Chinese ownership if measures are implemented to ensure American users’ data is securely stored in the United States. Waltz’s comments came during an interview with CNN on Sunday, as TikTok ceased operations for its 170 million U.S. users due to a newly enacted ban over concerns of potential misuse of data by Chinese authorities.

Waltz stated that Trump is working to “save TikTok” and hinted at the possibility of establishing “firewalls” to safeguard U.S. data. Additionally, TikTok noted in a message to users that Trump had promised a likely 90-day reprieve once he assumes office on Monday. Waltz told CBS News that this extension would allow TikTok to address key issues and evaluate potential buyers.

Despite Waltz’s remarks, Republican leaders in Congress appear divided on the matter. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed skepticism about continued Chinese ownership, advocating instead for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app entirely. “It’s not the platform… It’s the Chinese Communist Party,” Johnson emphasized during an NBC “Meet the Press” interview.

Other Republican lawmakers, including Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts, strongly oppose any extension of TikTok’s ban. In a joint statement, they argued that there is “no legal basis for any kind of ‘extension’ of (the ban’s) effective date.”

The debate highlights ongoing tensions over TikTok’s ownership and data privacy concerns, with the future of the platform’s U.S. operations hanging in the balance.

 

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Over half a million new users have flocked to China’s social media app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, in just a few days, as Americans seek alternatives to TikTok ahead of a potential U.S. ban. The app’s popularity skyrocketed after American social media users began searching for a platform to move to, with RedNote experiencing a surge in downloads in the U.S. and climbing to the second most-popular free app on the Apple App Store.

According to sources, the app gained more than 700,000 new users in just two days. User growth in the U.S. spiked by over 200% year-over-year and 194% from the previous week, based on estimates from app data firm Sensor Tower. The app, which allows users to curate photos, videos, and text, was initially designed for Chinese users but has expanded its reach internationally.

RedNote was caught by surprise by the rapid influx of English-speaking users and has begun scrambling to implement moderation strategies and translation tools to manage the new demographic. Unlike many Chinese apps, RedNote maintains a single version of its app, not differentiating between its Chinese and international user bases, which poses challenges for content moderation.

The spike in users comes as TikTok faces a looming January 19 deadline to either sell or face a ban in the U.S. due to national security concerns. RedNote’s surge is seen as a potential path for the platform to gain global popularity, similar to TikTok’s success. The app’s recent valuation stands at $17 billion, and it has become a popular tool in China for discovering travel tips, anti-aging products, and more.

Some American users view the shift to RedNote as a response to government overreach, with many joining the platform to explore alternatives to TikTok. Despite the excitement, others are skeptical about rebuilding their TikTok followings on a new platform.

 

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to Attend Trump Inauguration Amid US Ban Uncertainty

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Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, is set to attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, as reported by The New York Times. According to sources, Chew has been invited to sit in a position of honor during the event, traditionally reserved for former presidents, family members, and other distinguished guests.

TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, have not yet commented on this development. The announcement comes at a time of significant uncertainty for the app in the U.S. Despite having over 170 million American users and generating an estimated $20 billion in revenue by 2025, TikTok faces the imminent threat of a ban due to national security concerns.

The U.S. government has mandated that ByteDance must divest its U.S. operations by January 19, or face a nationwide ban on the app. The law, signed by President Joe Biden last April, has triggered a legal battle, with the U.S. Supreme Court currently deliberating whether to uphold or pause the ban.

There are also reports that Trump is considering issuing an executive order that would delay the shutdown by 60 to 90 days, although the legal framework for such a move remains unclear. TikTok has made plans to shut down its U.S. operations on Sunday unless there is a last-minute intervention.

As the situation continues to unfold, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, with both the company and lawmakers exploring various potential solutions.