Donald Trump is working to save TikTok, a platform that played a key role in his recent election success after he reversed his previous position supporting a ban.

As the deadline to shut down the app nears on Jan. 19, Trump is now considering issuing an executive order to delay the ban for up to 90 days, a change of heart that has surprised many, as the Daily Mail reports.

TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, was scheduled to be banned following a law signed last year under former President Joe Biden. The law requires ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations to negate potential risks related to espionage and propaganda linked to China. However, with the ban set to take effect soon, Trump has decided to shift his stance. Previously, he supported the ban, but now he is floating a 60 to 90-day delay once he takes office.

TikTok’s Influence on Trump’s Campaign

Trump’s reversal is driven in part by his growing recognition of TikTok’s power in his election campaign. After amassing over 4 billion views on TikTok, his posts outpaced those of other political figures, including rival Kamala Harris and pop culture icons like Taylor Swift. TikTok videos by Trump and his team gained substantial traction between November 2023 and May 2024, a period during which pro-Trump content surged past pro-Biden videos. This helped solidify his status as a social media force, especially with younger voters.

Trump’s personal TikTok account, launched in June, gained 3 million followers within 24 hours and has now reached 14 million. His campaign also gained support from figures like "TikTok Jack," 22-year-old Jack Fuetterrer, who helped propel the Trump campaign’s visibility through viral TikTok videos.

Ban Deadline Approaches

As the Jan. 19 deadline looms for ByteDance to either sell the app or face a nationwide ban, Trump is hoping for a delay. A source familiar with the matter told the Washington Post that Trump wants to be seen as someone who “makes a deal” after the deadline passes. He has posted on Truth Social, asking his followers, “Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?” This marks a stark departure from his previous position, where he supported the shutdown.

In addition to Trump's support, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has been invited to attend Trump’s inauguration, further signaling the former president's shift in tone.

Challenges to Ban and Legal Obstacles

Despite Trump’s efforts, the shutdown of TikTok remains likely, with legal hurdles standing in his way. The Supreme Court reviewed TikTok's legal challenge, but the court decided on Friday to allow the ban to proceed. Legal experts, including University of Minnesota law professor Alan Rozenshtein, warn that even if Trump issues an executive order, the app could still be banned under the law.

Rozenshtein noted that even a temporary executive order would not reverse the law’s core provisions, which mandate that major companies like Apple and Google stop offering TikTok in their app stores. Additionally, service providers like Oracle would be prohibited from providing TikTok’s infrastructure. Companies that violate these rules could face fines as high as $5,000 per user who accesses the app.

TikTok’s Impact on American Society

TikTok is widely used across the United States, with around 150 million active users, nearly half of the country’s population. The app is particularly popular among Gen-Z users, but a third of American adults also engage with the platform. As the ban approaches, TikTok has warned that it may shut down the app for U.S. users if the federal ban is enforced. The company is giving users the option to download their data before the shutdown, which will also block new downloads.

Though existing users will still have access to the app for a time, updates and improvements will cease, causing the platform to degrade over time. TikTok has also announced it will direct users to a website with further information about the ban.

Trump’s Continued Engagement with Social Media

Trump’s ongoing engagement with social media platforms, particularly TikTok, has raised questions about how social media will influence future elections. In the 2024 election, TikTok played a crucial role in building Trump’s political brand, with his content reaching a broader audience than traditional media outlets.

Despite the looming ban, Trump’s team has remained focused on finding ways to leverage social media to maintain momentum. Dillon Renfro, Trump's campaign strategist, was tasked with monitoring TikTok trends, helping to shape the content that resonated with voters.

A Changing Political Landscape

The legal and political implications of the TikTok ban continue to unfold as the deadline approaches. While Trump appears to be trying to preserve his relationship with the platform, questions about the app’s role in U.S. politics remain unresolved. With concerns over national security continuing to dominate the discourse, the final decision will likely shape the future of TikTok and other foreign-owned tech companies in the U.S.

As TikTok braces for a potential shutdown, millions of American users are left wondering what the future holds for the popular app.

What Comes Next for TikTok?

With just days before the ban takes effect, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain.

While Trump’s efforts to delay the shutdown may shift the course of events, legal and political battles are expected to persist long after the Jan. 19 deadline.

As the situation unfolds, the outcome will have significant implications for both the social media landscape and national security concerns.