The app isn’t going anywhere if you’re a TikTok user in the United States. US President Donald Trump has signalled that he might extend the deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, to sell its American operations. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump casually said, “Probably yeah, yeah” when asked whether the existing deadline would be pushed back again.
This wouldn’t be the first time the President has granted more time. In April, Trump signed an order giving TikTok 75 more days to keep operating while discussing a possible deal. That came after an earlier extension on January 20, Trump’s first day back in office, when the app briefly went dark after Congress approved a ban and the Supreme Court upheld it.
Since that ban, TikTok’s fate has been uncertain. While officials in the White House had worked on a plan to spin off TikTok into a new American-owned company, those talks fell apart when China pulled out following a fresh round of US tariffs.
TikTok’s future remains unclear
How long this back-and-forth can go on? The truth is, no one’s quite sure. While Trump seems open to keeping TikTok running longer, it’s unclear how many times the President can legally delay the ban or how much longer ByteDance will be given to sell the app. The negotiations are still ongoing, but no deal has been finalised yet.
Trump also mentioned that he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping would “ultimately approve” a sale of TikTok’s US operations, suggesting that diplomatic talks may still happen behind closed doors. In an earlier interview with NBC, Trump had already said he would be open to further delays, hinting at a more flexible approach than some expected.
TikTok helps Trump connect with young voters
Whether you’re a fan of his or not, there’s no denying Trump has made good use of TikTok. Since joining the platform last year, he’s gathered over 15 million followers and frequently credits it with boosting his appeal among younger voters. He even said in January that he has a “warm spot for TikTok”.
That may help explain why he’s been reluctant to see it disappear completely despite security concerns and ongoing tension with China. TikTok’s role in US politics is not just about who owns the app but also about influence, messaging, and digital popularity.
For now, TikTok stays. But the clock is still ticking, and unless a deal is made soon, you should keep an eye on future announcements. This could be just another pause before a final decision.
