Biden won't implement ban, leaves app's future up to Trump

In his last week in office, the Biden administration is backing away from its controversial ban on TikTok. Instead President Joe Biden has chosen to focus its efforts on other issues, such as granting pardons to nearly 2,500 non-violent drug offenders. That means the future of the app will be in the hands of the president-elect Donald Trumpwho will become the 47th president on Monday (January 20).

President Joe Biden will not ban TikTok

Despite the company's efforts to halt the ban, TikTok's deadline to sell its app is set for the day before Trump's inauguration. Last year, Biden signed a law backed by Congress that required TikTok's China-based parent ByteDance to divest the company by January 19. It looks like the company might not take that route. So, this likely means the ban will begin during Biden's last day in the White House.

However, a US official confirmed on Thursday that Biden would not comply with the ban. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the internal thinking of the Biden administration, according to the AP.

What Trump's team has said about the ban

Trump, who once called for the app to be banned, has since vowed to keep it available in the US, but his transition team has not said how they plan to do that.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump's inauguration and be given a prime seat. Meanwhile, the president-elect's national security adviser has suggested that the Trump administration take steps to “prevent TikTok from going dark.”

Separately on Wednesday, Pam Bondi, Trump's pick for attorney general, dodged a question during a Senate hearing about whether she would support a ban on TikTok.

The soon-to-be State Security Advisor Mike Waltz spoke about the possible ban on Wednesday as well.

“If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the law, President Trump has been very clear: First, TikTok is a great platform that many Americans use, and it's been great for his campaign and his message. But, two, he's going to protect their data,” Walt said. “He's a deal maker. I don't want to get ahead of our executive orders, but we're going to create this space to get this deal done.

Waltz also mentioned the ban while speaking on Fox News Channel's “Fox & Friends” on Thursday. Waltz noted that federal law also prohibits TikTok “authorizes an extension while a viable deal is negotiated.”

Donald Trump has reversed his stance on the popular app after trying to ban it during his first term in office. He joined TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign. His team used it to connect with younger voters, particularly male voters, by pushing content that was often macho and aimed to go viral. During the campaign, he vowed to “save TikTok” and has credited the platform with helping him win more youth votes.

Where do US leaders stand on the TikTok ban?

Efforts to save TikTok, like the attempt to ban it in the US, have crossed partisan lines. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he spoke with Joe Biden on Thursday to support extending the TikTok ban.

“It's clear that more time is needed to find an American buyer and not disrupt the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans, so many influencers who have built a good network of followers,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Thursday.

Democrats had tried to pass legislation on Wednesday that would have extended the deadline, but Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas blocked it. Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said TikTok had plenty of time to find a buyer.

“TikTok is a Chinese Communist spy app that is addicting our children, harvesting their data, targeting them with harmful and manipulative content, and spreading Communist propaganda,” Cotton said.

Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a challenge to the law brought by TikTok, its Chinese parent ByteDance and the app's users. The judges appeared to uphold a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok on national security grounds or face a ban from one of its biggest markets.

While social networks are have had celebrity buyers such as YouTuber Mr. BeastByteDance has not approved any sales procedures.