On January 19, 2025, the TikTok ban was set to take effect. Congress had passed House Resolution H.R.7521 to ban TikTok due to national security concerns. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, is a Chinese company that poses a risk to American national security . To mitigate this risk, Congress proposed that TikTok be sold to a US-based company before the ban. Alternatively, TikTok would be banned in the US outright by January 19, 2025. However, before the ban could go into effect, then President-elect Trump intervened. He discussed with TikTok and later drafted an executive order allowing TikTok users to continue using the app for seventy-five more days rather than the ban taking place immediately. This move allowed users to continue using TikTok without fear of the ban. Trump’s proposal was to have American companies acquire a 50% stake in TikTok.
While TikTok has been a source of entertainment, business growth, and communication for many users, the risks associated with owning it by a government agency, China, and Trump’s tech friends like Elon musk who are significant.
Trump’s actions raised concerns about the extent of his power. He has overstepped his authority by attempting to bypass Congress’s decision to ban TikTok. This move undermines the democratic process and raises questions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Trump wasn’t even president at the time TikTok went dark and TikTok should technically still be banned because that’s a law Congress made.
There’s a whole series of processes, and the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the H.R.7521 bill just days before. However, Trump comes in and says he’s extending their deadline, so those who still have the app can use it, however new users can’t get it from the App Store in America. America made a mistake electing Trump, and we’re all going to pay for the next four years. This decision also sparked debates over the future of the tech industry, the government’s role in regulating platforms, and whether U.S. leadership should prioritize political influence over national security. America made a mistake electing Trump, and we’re all going to pay for the next four years. We can hope that he gives up his presidency and doesn’t break any more laws or unwritten rules.