Trump Hints at Further TikTok Ban Delay

President Trump indicated he might delay the TikTok ban again. The current deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations is June 19th. In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," Trump stated he'd consider another extension if a deal isn't finalized.

Perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I have a little warm spot in my heart for TikTok.

Congress passed a law last year requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban. The ban briefly took effect in January, prompting TikTok to temporarily disappear from U.S. app stores. Trump subsequently delayed the ban for 90 days, suggesting a joint venture with U.S. ownership as a potential solution.

A second extension of 75 days was granted in April. Trump linked this extension to ongoing trade tensions with China, noting the Chinese government's displeasure with U.S. tariffs. China's approval is necessary for any sale of TikTok's U.S. operations.

This potential third delay underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding the TikTok situation. The future of the popular short-form video app in the United States remains uncertain.