Court Rules TikTok Must Sell or Face U.S. Ban: What’s Next Under Trump?

A federal appeals court recently ruled that TikTok must sell or be banned in the U.S., supporting a law passed earlier this year that requires its Chinese parent company to sell the app. TikTok challenged the law, claiming it violated First Amendment rights, but the court ruled that the government’s actions were justified to protect Americans from foreign influence, specifically from China.

Despite TikTok’s denial of accusations that it spies on U.S. citizens, the U.S. government remains concerned about the potential misuse of user data by a foreign entity. TikTok has announced plans to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court and has stated it will not sell the platform.

The situation is further complicated by the looming presidency of Donald Trump. In 2020, Trump attempted to force a TikTok sale, citing national security concerns. However, he later reversed his stance, claiming that eliminating TikTok would only benefit competitors like Facebook. As Trump prepares to return to office in 2025, questions remain about how he might address the TikTok issue. Experts speculate that he may either push for new legislation to reverse the ban or direct his Attorney General to ignore it.

This uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future reflects broader questions about the U.S. political landscape, as Trump’s unpredictable approach to governance continues to leave key issues in limbo. The situation is a reminder of the power struggle between protecting national interests and navigating political agendas.