President Donald Trump signaled Saturday a deal may very well be underway quickly to “save” TikTok from a looming ban, and Republican state attorneys basic – many skeptical of the app’s safety – are ready to see if it involves fruition.
“I’ve spoken to many individuals about TikTok and there’s nice curiosity in TikTok,” Trump instructed reporters aboard Air Drive One on a flight to Florida, Reuters reported.
The reported deal Trump is engaged on includes partnering with software program firm Oracle and a bunch of outdoor traders to take management of the app’s operations. In line with sources accustomed to the matter, ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese language mum or dad firm, would keep a stake within the platform underneath the proposed deal. Nevertheless, Oracle would take management of information administration and software program updates, leveraging its current function in supporting TikTok’s net infrastructure, two sources instructed Reuters.
‘NO BETTER DEALMAKER’: TRUMP REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ‘SAVE’ TIKTOK
Ken Paxton was one of many Republican AGs to file a lawsuit towards TikTok for its “dangerous” practices. (Photograph illustration for Fox Information Digital/Getty Pictures)
“President Trump has repeatedly expressed his want to avoid wasting TikTok, and there’s no higher dealmaker than Donald Trump,” Trump’s nationwide press secretary Karoline Leavitt beforehand instructed Fox Information Digital.
A number of Republican state attorneys basic have actively pursued actions to ban TikTok, citing nationwide safety considerations and potential information privateness points. In December 2024, 22 attorneys basic, together with these from Virginia and Montana, filed an amicus temporary urging the U.S. Supreme Court docket to uphold the “divest-or-ban” legislation towards TikTok. The legislation mandates that TikTok’s mum or dad firm, ByteDance, divest its U.S. operations or face a possible ban attributable to nationwide safety considerations.
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President Donald Trump signaled Saturday a deal may very well be underway quickly to “save” TikTok from a looming ban. (Getty Pictures)
Texas Lawyer Normal Ken Paxton additionally initiated legal action towards TikTok earlier this month, alleging “TikTok lied about its security requirements and hid the reality in regards to the prevalence of inappropriate and specific materials,” in keeping with his workplace’s information launch. Paxton’s lawsuit does not point out the app’s ban.
A supply near a number of Republican state attorneys basic instructed Fox Information Digital on Monday that they are assured if anybody could make a deal to guard the U.S. from the Chinese language Communist Celebration, it is Trump, but when it poses a risk to nationwide safety, then it ought to be banned.
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President Donald Trump indicators an govt order within the Oval Workplace of the White Home on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures)
Republicans aren’t the one ones involved about TikTok. A number of Democratic state attorneys basic have actively pursued authorized actions towards the social media app, too. In October 2024, California Lawyer Normal Rob Bonta and New York Lawyer Normal Letitia James, together with 12 different states and the District of Columbia, filed a lawsuit alleging that TikTok exploits and harms younger customers and deceives the general public in regards to the social media platform’s risks.
Whereas Trump tried to ban the app from U.S. entry throughout his first administration, he credited TikTok for reaching younger voters in the course of the 2024 presidential marketing campaign.
TikTok went darkish earlier this month after ByteDance had 9 months to promote TikTok to an authorised purchaser however opted, together with TikTok, to take authorized motion towards the legislation. The U.S. Supreme Court docket upheld the legislation, citing nationwide safety dangers due to its ties to China.
The app was reinstated for U.S. customers the next day, with Trump promising an govt order to increase TikTok’s sale.
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“Welcome again!” the TikTok message learn. “Thanks in your endurance and assist. Because of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is again within the U.S.!”
Fox Information Digital has reached out to TikTok for remark.
Fox Enterprise’ Alexandra Koch, Bradford Betz and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
