Trump Asks Supreme Court to Postpone TikTok Ban Debate, Seeks Political Solution
US President-elect Donald Trump has called on the Supreme Court to delay discussions on a looming TikTok ban, signaling his intent to pursue a political resolution to the contentious issue once he assumes office.
In a legal brief filed Friday, Trump’s legal team stated that he “opposes banning TikTok” and seeks time to address the matter through diplomatic means. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on January 10 about a law requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to an American firm or face a nationwide ban starting January 19—just one day before Trump’s inauguration.
Concerns over TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government have fueled calls for the ban, though both ByteDance and TikTok have consistently denied any such links. These allegations prompted Congress to pass a bill earlier this year, signed into law by President Joe Biden in April, mandating the divestment or prohibition of the app, which boasts 170 million US users.
ByteDance and TikTok have fought back with several legal challenges, arguing the law infringes on free speech rights. However, these efforts have yet to yield success, leaving the Supreme Court as their last line of defense. While the Court previously declined to issue an emergency injunction, it agreed to hear arguments from all sides in January, just days before the ban’s implementation.
In Friday’s filing, Trump characterized the case as presenting a “complex and unprecedented conflict” between free speech protections and national security concerns. Though he did not take a stance on the legal merits of the dispute, he urged the Court to delay the January 19 deadline, emphasizing that this would give him time to “pursue a political resolution” rather than relying on judicial intervention.
The Justice Department has maintained that TikTok’s alleged ties to China pose a national security risk, a sentiment echoed by multiple state governments. A coalition of nearly two dozen state attorneys general, led by Montana’s Austin Knudsen, has urged the Supreme Court to uphold the legislation and enforce the divestment or ban.
Earlier this month, a federal appeals court upheld the law, describing it as the culmination of “bipartisan efforts” by Congress and two administrations.
Trump’s current stance represents a shift from his first term, during which he supported a similar ban. Speaking at a press conference earlier in December, he expressed a fondness for TikTok, claiming the platform helped him connect with young voters despite election data showing the majority favored his opponent, Kamala Harris.
“I have a soft spot for TikTok,” Trump said. “Some say it played a role in the youth vote—although not everyone agrees.”
With time running out, the fate of TikTok in the US now hinges on the Supreme Court’s decision and Trump’s ability to navigate the political landscape upon taking office.
