Trump Eyeing Plan to Avoid TikTok Ban as Deadline Looms
With just days left before a U.S. ban on TikTok was set to take effect, a flurry of political maneuvering and legal negotiations appears to have once again postponed the controversial measure. President Donald Trump, who re-emerged as a central figure in the latest round of TikTok deliberations, is reportedly backing a plan that will avert the ban, at least for now.
The Commerce Department had set April 5 as the deadline for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations or face removal from app stores nationwide and operational restrictions. The deadline, originally imposed by legislation passed in 2023 and previously extended multiple times, has sparked growing concern among TikTok’s 150 million American users, creators, and the business community.
But in a dramatic last-minute development late Thursday night, sources close to Trump confirmed that he is supporting an emergency extension of the deadline—his third since re-entering the political spotlight. While no official statement has been released by the White House, reports suggest the president-turned-candidate has been in discussions with a group of American investors and tech executives working on a proposal to restructure TikTok’s U.S. operations to satisfy national security concerns without triggering an outright ban.
“It’s not about banning TikTok,” Trump said in an impromptu interview outside Trump Tower on Thursday. “It’s about making sure the data is protected and that it’s in good hands—American hands.”
This marks a significant pivot from Trump’s earlier stance during his presidency, when he pushed hard for a sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations, citing data privacy and national security concerns linked to China. Now, Trump appears to be leveraging the issue to position himself as a protector of American innovation and free expression, while still posturing tough on China.
Meanwhile, TikTok’s legal team welcomed the delay, stating they remain committed to a resolution that balances U.S. security with the rights of its users. “We are encouraged by the constructive conversations taking place,” a spokesperson for the company said Friday morning.
Critics, however, argue that repeated extensions are weakening the credibility of the U.S. government’s position. “Each time this gets pushed back, it sends mixed signals to allies and adversaries alike about our seriousness on tech and national security policy,” said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), a long-time advocate for the ban.
Despite the reprieve, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. The latest delay may buy more time for negotiations, but pressure is mounting from lawmakers, regulators, and national security officials who want a permanent solution.
For now, though, TikTok remains online—and millions of users, influencers, and small businesses are breathing a collective sigh of relief.
