Trump Extends TikTok Deadline Again to Finalize Deal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump signed an executive order giving TikTok another 90 days to remain operational in the U.S. while his administration pursues a deal for American ownership. The extension, the third since January, aims to balance user popularity and data privacy. Lawmakers and analysts remain divided on the platform’s future.
Quick Looks
- Trump signed a 90-day extension to prevent TikTok’s ban while U.S. ownership is negotiated.
- This is the third such extension since January 2025.
- TikTok praised Trump’s support and said it’s working with Vice President Vance’s office.
- The original ban was upheld by the Supreme Court and backed by bipartisan legislation.
- Analysts liken the recurring extensions to political standoffs like debt ceiling crises.
- Democratic Sen. Mark Warner accused Trump of bypassing legal constraints.
- Trump, a TikTok user himself, says the app helps connect with young voters.
- Pew data shows Americans are split over banning the platform.
Deep Look
President Donald Trump has once again delayed the implementation of a national TikTok ban, signing an executive order Thursday to grant the Chinese-owned platform another 90-day reprieve. This marks the third such extension this year as the administration continues to seek a workable deal to transfer TikTok’s U.S. operations to American ownership.
Announced via a post on Truth Social, Trump framed the extension as a necessary step to finalize ongoing negotiations. “He’s making an extension so we can get this deal done,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “It’s wildly popular. He also wants to protect Americans’ data and privacy concerns on this app. And he believes we can do both at the same time.”
TikTok’s future in the U.S. has been in limbo since Congress passed, and the Supreme Court upheld, legislation authorizing a ban unless ownership shifted away from China’s ByteDance. Trump’s previous two extensions came in January and April—first, to prevent the app from going dark on his first day back in office, and later, to give negotiators more time before talks broke down when China objected to Trump’s new tariffs.
Now, with the third extension signed, speculation is mounting over whether Trump is kicking the can down the road indefinitely. While there’s no clear legal framework allowing for repeated executive delays after court-backed legislation, no legal challenges have been filed. For now, the move keeps TikTok running for its 170 million American users and 7.5 million U.S. businesses that rely on the platform.
TikTok responded positively to the extension, issuing a statement that thanked Trump for his “leadership and support,” and confirmed continued cooperation with Vice President JD Vance’s office. Analysts say the administration’s mixed messages—extending TikTok’s life while publicly criticizing its Chinese ties—highlight the tension between political pragmatism and national security concerns.
Trump himself has become a high-profile user of TikTok, gaining more than 15 million followers since joining last year. He has credited the platform with helping him appeal to younger voters, telling reporters in January that he has a “warm spot for TikTok.”
Still, critics—including lawmakers from both parties—are skeptical of his approach. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the administration is “flouting the law and ignoring its own national security findings.” Warner added, “An executive order can’t sidestep the law, but that’s exactly what the president is trying to do.”
Analysts also question the strategy. Jeremy Goldman of Emarketer described the situation as “deadline purgatory.” “This political Groundhog Day is starting to resemble the debt ceiling drama,” he noted, referencing recurring political standoffs that often end in temporary extensions.
Despite the political uncertainty, TikTok is charging ahead. Forrester analyst Kelsey Chickering pointed out that the company recently launched new AI video tools at the Cannes Lions Festival, signaling confidence in its long-term viability. “Smaller players, like Snap, will try to steal share during this ‘uncertain time,’ but they will not succeed because this next round for TikTok isn’t uncertain at all,” she said.
Meanwhile, major tech partners like Apple, Google, and Oracle have agreed to continue hosting and supporting TikTok’s infrastructure—reportedly reassured by the Justice Department that enforcement actions and penalties are on hold while Trump’s executive orders remain in effect.
Public opinion on TikTok has also evolved. According to a Pew Research Center survey, only about one-third of Americans now support banning the platform—down from 50% in early 2023. Roughly one-third oppose a ban, while the remaining third remain unsure. Among those supporting a ban, concerns about user data security remain the dominant issue.
In Washington, the big question is how long Trump can continue using executive action to delay implementation of a legally approved ban without facing court challenges or political backlash. As of now, the move has kept the platform alive, calmed corporate allies, and maintained engagement with younger voters—all while skirting the need for legislative or judicial resolution.
What happens after this 90-day extension will depend on whether negotiations with ByteDance resume, a buyer is found, or if another extension is quietly signed. But with each delay, a TikTok ban in the U.S. seems more distant—and perhaps, less likely altogether.
Trump Extends TikTok Trump Extends TikTok
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