Trump and TikTok CEO Meet Amid Legal Battle
US President-elect Donald Trump met TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew on Monday at Mar-a-Lago, Florida. The meeting occurred as TikTok seeks to delay a looming ban in the United States. Sources cited by CBS News confirmed the encounter between Trump and Chew.
A law passed earlier this year requires TikTok’s sale or ban by January 19, 2025. ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, faces pressure to sell or face a ban. TikTok filed an emergency application with the US Supreme Court to delay the ban’s enforcement.
Concerns Over National Security and ByteDance Ties
US authorities claim ByteDance’s links to the Chinese state pose a national security threat. Both ByteDance and TikTok deny these allegations. The law’s proponents argue it’s vital for US national security against “foreign adversary-controlled applications.”
Despite previously supporting a TikTok ban, Trump now opposes it. His opposition partly stems from his belief that a ban could benefit Facebook, a platform he accuses of contributing to his 2020 election loss. Trump’s second term starts January 20, one day after the current deadline for TikTok’s ban or sale.
TikTok’s Supreme Court filing asks for a “modest delay” in enforcing the ban. The company argues the delay allows time for a Court review and gives the incoming administration space to assess the issue. TikTok’s filing describes the platform as a significant speech forum in the US. It claims the ban would cause “immediate irreparable harm” to TikTok and its users.
A federal appeals court recently rejected TikTok’s request to overturn the ban. The court’s decision emphasized that the law reflects bipartisan Congressional action supported by successive US presidents.
At a Monday press conference, Trump expressed openness to reviewing TikTok’s situation. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, because I won youth by 34 points,” Trump said. He acknowledged claims that TikTok’s influence contributed to this swing.
Although a majority of young voters supported Kamala Harris in the November election, Trump’s support among voters aged 18 to 29 grew compared to 2020. Trump’s TikTok presence, launched in June, rapidly gained millions of followers during his campaign.
