Biden passes TikTok hot potato to Trump
As politicians scramble over TikTok in Washington, the window for President Joe Biden to rescue TikTok appears to be slamming shut. A last-ditch push from Democratic lawmakers to get President Joe Biden to grant TikTok a reprieve appeared to die Thursday as the White House said the president didn’t have the authority to do it, leaving a vacuum three days before the deadline for the app to be sold or banned in the U.S.
Biden Passes TikTok Hot Potato to Trump: Political Drama Over TikTok Intensifies
The political saga surrounding TikTok has taken a dramatic turn, as the Biden administration declines to intervene in the app's looming U.S. ban. This decision shifts the responsibility to the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, with just days remaining before the January 19 deadline for TikTok to sell its U.S. operations or face a nationwide prohibition.
TikTok’s Rocky Political Journey
The Chinese-owned social media platform has been at the center of U.S. political scrutiny for years, with lawmakers raising concerns over potential risks to national security and user data privacy. The company’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has faced intense bipartisan questioning in Congress, further underscoring the app’s precarious position in American politics. In an unexpected twist, Chew will now attend Trump’s inauguration, signaling a possible shift in the platform’s future strategy.
Biden Administration’s Stance
Despite pressure from Democratic lawmakers to grant TikTok a temporary reprieve, the Biden administration has stated that it lacks the authority to extend the deadline. “Our interpretation of the law that Congress passed is that absent a credible plan from the company on how they will divest, the President does not have statutory authority to trigger the 90-day extension,” a White House official told POLITICO.
This statement leaves TikTok with little room to maneuver, as it has neither presented a plan to divest its U.S. operations nor shown any intention of selling to an American owner.
What’s Next for TikTok?
With the Biden administration’s refusal to act, the fate of TikTok now lies with the Trump administration. The January 19 deadline marks the culmination of months of legal and political wrangling. If TikTok fails to secure a sale or compromise, millions of U.S. users could lose access to the app.
Trump, who has previously advocated for banning TikTok unless it transfers ownership to a U.S.-based company, now faces the challenge of resolving the issue without alienating the app’s extensive user base. How his administration handles this situation could set the tone for U.S.-China relations in the tech sector moving forward.
Broader Implications
The TikTok debacle highlights the increasing tension between the U.S. and China over technology and data privacy. It also underscores the growing role of social media platforms in geopolitics and the challenges governments face in balancing innovation, security, and public demand.
For now, the clock is ticking for TikTok’s future in the United States. Whether it finds a lifeline or faces a ban, this chapter in its history will undoubtedly influence how foreign-owned tech companies operate in the U.S. for years to come.
What's Your Reaction?
