President Trump signed an Executive Order on June 19, extending TikTok’s divestment deadline by another 90 days—pushing the deadline to September 17, 2025—which allows ByteDance more time to negotiate a U.S. ownership deal while the app remains operational in America.
At a Glance
- This marks Trump’s third extension of the TikTok ban deadline, shifting it from January, then April, now September 17, 2025
- ByteDance must divest TikTok or face a nationwide ban per the 2024 Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act
- Trump says the extension is meant to allow a “security deal” that protects American user data
- Critics warn the repeated delays lack legal basis and could face lawsuits—rival platforms stand to gain
- TikTok alternative deals are being weighed, with Perplexity AI, AppLovin, Amazon, and investor groups in play
Why the Delay?
Under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, TikTok was required to divest by January 19, 2025, or face a ban. But Trump has invoked the law’s 90-day extension clause three times, citing ongoing national security negotiations. In his Truth Social post, he said the delay gives ByteDance time to secure a U.S. buyer, according to Business Insider.
Legal and Political Flashpoints
Analysts say Trump’s repeated delays stretch legal limits and risk judicial challenges if enforcement remains postponed. Meanwhile, rival social apps like Meta’s platforms and Snap could benefit if TikTok stumbles amid uncertainty, as reported by MarketWatch and Investor’s Business Daily.
Buyers in the Wings
TikTok has been in talks with potential buyers, including Perplexity AI, Amazon, AppLovin, and investor consortiums seeking to preserve a U.S. presence while satisfying regulatory demands. The extension gives these negotiations critical extra time, according to MarketWatch.
What’s at Stake
By procrastinating on the ban, Washington keeps access to TikTok for now—but the clock is ticking. A failed divestment deal by mid-September could lead to a banned app, disrupted advertising revenue, and unfinished legal remedies. The question remains: will a safe sale happen—or is TikTok’s U.S. future set to collapse?
