Former President Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to delay the implementation of a law that would ban TikTok unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company.
The law is set to take effect on January 19, 2025, just one day before Trump’s second presidential inauguration.
In a brief filed on Friday, December 27, Trump’s attorney, John Sauer, requested that the Court pause the ban, allowing Trump the opportunity to pursue a “political resolution.”
Trump argued that he possesses “the electoral mandate and the political will to negotiate a resolution” that would preserve TikTok while addressing national security concerns.
Trump, who has nearly 15 million followers on TikTok, described himself as “one of the most powerful, prolific, and influential users of social media in history” and claimed that he is uniquely positioned to address the issue effectively upon resuming office.
Steven Cheung, Trump’s transition spokesperson, echoed this sentiment in a statement to TMZ, saying: “Today, President Donald J. Trump filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Court to extend the deadline that would cause TikTok’s imminent shutdown and allow President Trump the opportunity to resolve the issue in a way that saves TikTok and preserves American national security once he resumes office on January 20, 2025.”
The government has defended the law, citing national security concerns and arguing that TikTok’s ownership by a Chinese company could expose the U.S. to undue influence from the Chinese government.
TikTok has opposed the ban, arguing that it would violate the First Amendment, and continues to challenge claims that it poses a security threat. The case highlights the ongoing debate about balancing technology, security, and free expression in the U.S.
