President-elect Donald Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Chew at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday amid growing uncertainty about the future of the app in the United States. The popular social media platform, used by millions of Americans, is set to be banned nationwide on January 19—just one day before Trump officially takes office—unless ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, sells it to a non-Chinese owner.
The meeting comes at a crucial moment for TikTok, which has launched a last-ditch legal fight by petitioning the Supreme Court to intervene. The ban, signed into law by President Joe Biden in April, followed growing political pressure and concerns about TikTok’s role in amplifying anti-Israel sentiment and its ties to China.
CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that this pre-scheduled meeting marks the first face-to-face between Trump and Chew since Trump’s electoral victory in November. Chew has reportedly been seeking a meeting with Trump since the president-elect’s win, hoping to prevent the platform’s forced shutdown.
The Mar-a-Lago meeting highlights TikTok’s strategic attempt to leverage political relationships as the app fights for survival in the U.S. Chew joins a growing list of high-profile tech leaders Trump has met since his victory, including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, whom Trump criticized earlier this year.
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has so far resisted calls for a sale, pushing back against what it views as forced government interference. TikTok argues that the ban would severely curtail free speech for millions of Americans who use the platform for politics, business, and entertainment.
Despite widespread bipartisan concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership, Trump has surprisingly defended the app. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, he attributed his strong performance with young voters during the election to the platform.
“You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points, and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with it,” Trump said.
Trump’s stance is consistent with his earlier comments on Truth Social, where he argued that banning TikTok would only benefit Facebook.
“If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. I don’t want Facebook, who cheated in the last election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!” Trump wrote in March.
Trump’s criticism of Facebook and its CEO Mark Zuckerberg is rooted in his long-standing grievances over what he perceives as the platform’s role in suppressing conservative voices during elections. His meeting with Zuckerberg earlier this month at Mar-a-Lago further fueled speculation about his approach to big tech regulation once he takes office.
As the clock ticks toward the January 19 deadline, TikTok has escalated its fight to the nation’s highest court. In its petition to the Supreme Court, TikTok called the ban an unconstitutional infringement on free speech.
“The Act will shutter one of America’s most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration,” the petition states. “This, in turn, will silence the speech of Applicants and the many Americans who use the platform to communicate about politics, commerce, arts, and other matters of public concern.”
The outcome of TikTok’s legal challenge could set a precedent for the regulation of foreign-owned tech companies in the U.S. It also places the Supreme Court in the middle of a contentious battle over digital free speech and national security concerns.
The nationwide ban stems from mounting concerns over TikTok’s potential data-sharing practices with the Chinese government. However, the app’s defenders argue that banning it would unfairly punish American users and creators who rely on the platform for income and communication.
While Trump’s position on TikTok remains somewhat unpredictable, his recent comments and Monday’s meeting with Shou Chew suggest that he may oppose the ban or seek an alternative solution, such as a negotiated sale to an American company.
If TikTok fails to win its Supreme Court battle or broker a last-minute deal, it faces the reality of being shuttered across the U.S. in less than a month. Such an outcome would dramatically alter the American social media landscape and leave millions of creators scrambling for alternatives.
For now, the spotlight remains on Trump, TikTok, and the courts as the deadline looms. Whether Trump’s unexpected fondness for the platform will translate into action to save it remains to be seen.
Leave a Comment