The timeframe for TikTok is quickly approaching, creating a sense of urgency as we near this weekend.
Only over eight decades ago, the U. S. Congress, in a unique display of republican assistance, passed legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden. This legislation requires TikTok’s Foreign parent company, ByteDance, to sell the software and secure a new user by Jan. 19, 2025, or face a ban in the United States — a timeframe that falls on this Sunday. The purpose of this legislation is obvious: to protect national security by responding to the legitimate concerns that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP ) might be able to pirate and manipulate the data of 170 million Americans.
Instead of pursuing a sharp withdrawal, ByteDance and TikTok’s command have opted to join in protracted legal battles, trying to reverse the legislation in court. Their method has involved deceiving the public, using the phrase “absolute ban,” and omitting the possibility of divestment. They assert that outlawing the app would constitute censorship and would violate American citizens ‘ freedom of speech. This argument is deeply flawed, as a Chinese company, ByteDance is vulnerable to the influence of the CCP, known for its severe suppression of free expression.
The stakes are too high to ignore; protecting American data and maintaining national security must come first.
Rather than being a champion of free speech, TikTok is known to extend the CCP’s censorship to non-Chinese citizens, including Americans. For example, the TikTok account of Feroza Aziz, an American TikTok star, was deleted after she posted a video criticizing Beijing’s mass internment of Uyghur Muslims. Only after the outcry from the general public did her account get reinstated.  ,
Fortunately, a U. S. federal court saw through TikTok’s flawed rationale. The court affirmed ByteDance and their American attorneys ‘ claim that the First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States in December 2024. The Government’s actions here were solely intended to restrict that adversary’s ability to gather information about Americans and to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation.
In a desperate attempt to salvage their situation, TikTok appealed to the U. S. Supreme Court. However, during last Friday’s hearing, the majority of justices appeared unconvinced by TikTok’s First Amendment claims. ByteDance further refuted its argument by claiming that a divestment is not feasible because TikTok’s Chinese parent company has control over both its source code and engineering. This revelation confirmed presumptions held by critics who have long viewed the app as a legitimate threat to US national security and a tool of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The U. S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this Friday, likely against TikTok, which could see the app removed from U. S. stores by Sunday.
An unexpected turn occurred just as TikTok was facing a potential ban in a few days. Donald Trump, the app’s new president, surprised many by using his political will to save the app. He filed a brief at the end of December 2024, asking the Supreme Court to postpone its decision until after January 19 in an effort to reach a divestment agreement with TikTok.
Trump’s intervention is noteworthy, especially considering that during his first term Trump sought to ban TikTok, only to have a federal court block his order. According to speculation, he may have reconsidered his position as a result of TikTok’s potential contribution to boosting his appeal among young voters. Additionally, rumors are swirling that figures in Trump’s circle might be interested in purchasing TikTok himself, adding yet another agitating element to this unfolding saga, and TikTok CEO Shou Chew will reportedly be seated with Trump’s “high-profile guests” at Monday’s inauguration ceremony.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP ) has consistently opposed any legislation intended to defraud its interests up until now. Recently, however, The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese officials are showing a surprising openness to the prospect of Elon Musk investing in or potentially acquiring TikTok’s U. S. operations.
Musk’s preference by the CCP seems strategic for a number of strategic reasons. Musk consistently praises China and its government, probably as a result of his strong business ties there. Tesla’s Shanghai facility stands as the company’s largest factory, producing an astonishing 50 percent of its global vehicle output. The CCP has a unique opportunity to use Musk’s interests as a bargaining chip.
Most critically, Musk’s apparent rapport with President-elect Trump allows the CCP to believe it can influence the incoming administration’s China policy and mitigate the effects of the China hawks among Trump cabinet appointments, like secretary of state nominee Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
As a long-time critic of TikTok, I urge President-elect Trump to reconsider investing his political capital in” saving” TikTok. This app is not worth the effort. Beyond being a national security risk, TikTok has a troubling reputation for “brainwashing” American youth. This alarming finding is confirmed by recent research:” The more time users spend on TikTok, the more they view China’s appeal as a travel destination and its human rights record.”
Our youth must be given priority in order to protect them from such perverse influences. Why would the US president want to appoint a platform that our adversaries control to influence young Americans ‘ opinions?
Divesting TikTok’s ownership is not a viable solution either. Although the Chinese Communist Party (CCP ) may seem open to scenarios where someone close to Trump, such as Elon Musk, invests in TikTok’s U. S. operations, there is no evidence to suggest that ByteDance will relinquish control of the app’s source code or algorithm. If that remains the case, acquiring a mere shell of TikTok U. S. is futile, as the new owner would stay under the CCP’s influence. Additionally, putting off the Supreme Court’s decision and granting a last-minute reprieve to TikTok damages our nation’s reputation for upholding the rule of law.
Trump will face a lot of difficulties starting next week, from the Middle East war and inflation to immigration and inflation. He has pressing matters to address. He must concentrate on these crucial issues rather than TikTok. The best course of action is to let TikTok continue enforcing the ban it deserves.
