Trump Signals Third Deadline Extension for TikTok Sale/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump indicated he will likely extend the deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app. The move would mark the third such extension amid stalled negotiations and rising U.S.-China tensions. Trump maintains he’s hopeful China will ultimately approve the sale.
TikTok Deadline Delay Quick Looks
- Trump suggests extension: President hints at third delay in TikTok divestment deadline.
- China must approve: Trump says President Xi likely to greenlight eventual deal.
- Ongoing negotiations: Previous sale efforts collapsed following tariff fallout.
- Political factor: TikTok helps Trump reach over 15 million young followers.
- Legal backdrop: Ban upheld by Supreme Court but delayed by executive action.
- TikTok’s fate unclear: Repeated extensions raise questions about enforcement limits.
Trump Signals Third Deadline Extension for TikTok Sale
Deep Look
Trump Signals Another Delay
President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday he will likely extend the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell the video-sharing app to U.S. owners.
“Probably, yeah,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about the looming deadline.
“We’ll probably have to get China approval, but I think we’ll get it. I think President Xi will ultimately approve it.”
The remark aligns with Trump’s earlier comments in a May interview with NBC, where he indicated he was open to another delay in the sale timeline.
Background on TikTok Ban and Extensions
Trump initially signed an executive order on Jan. 20, his first day back in office, reactivating a congressional ban on TikTok that had been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The platform briefly went dark before Trump issued a temporary reprieve.
He then extended the deadline again in April, when a near-complete deal to sell TikTok to U.S.-based investors fell through after China withdrew support following a new round of U.S. tariffs.
If a third extension is formalized, it will underscore the complex geopolitical and economic factors at play — particularly the ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing over tech ownership, trade policy, and digital influence.
Political Stakes and Platform Power
Trump has frequently praised TikTok’s cultural reach and political potential. Since joining the app last year, he’s gained over 15 million followers, crediting it with helping him connect with younger voters.
In January, Trump even said he has a “warm spot for TikTok,” softening earlier rhetoric about the national security risks posed by foreign-owned platforms.
Despite the political optics of supporting a platform that’s been at the center of national security debates, Trump’s approach suggests he sees TikTok as a valuable digital tool during his presidency.
What Comes Next?
It remains unclear how many times Trump can legally extend the divestment deadline or whether continued delays risk undermining the law’s enforcement.
No new date has yet been announced, and negotiations with ByteDance appear to be in limbo. Some analysts warn that repeated extensions could signal to foreign firms that U.S. tech enforcement lacks urgency or resolve.
Still, with Trump balancing diplomatic strategy, tech regulation, and electoral appeal, the TikTok decision reflects broader political calculation as much as it does policy enforcement.
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