TikTok is banking on the backing of Donald Trump to keep the Chinese-owned video app legal in the U.S.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, in a video message posted to the platform after the Supreme Court ruling upholding the U.S. law that threatens to ban the app, thanks President-elect Trump for his support in trying to find a workable outcome to keep the app legal.
“On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,” Chew said. “This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.”
On Friday, the Supreme Court rejected the appeal by TikTok and parent ByteDance to halt a law that will ban the popular video app in the U.S. as of Jan. 19 unless China-based ByteDance divests its stake in the app to a party that is not located in a country deemed a “foreign adversary.” The court, in a unanimous ruling, said in part, “Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.”
Trump, in a post Friday on Truth Social, wrote: “The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it. My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!”
Chew is slated to attend the incoming president’s Jan. 20 inauguration in Washington, D.C., and to “sit in a position of honor on the dais,” per the New York Times.
Here is Chew’s video commenting on the Supreme Court opinion and thanking Trump:
English (US) ·