TRUMP CARD

Trump Plots Last-Ditch Move to Save TikTok From Ban

The president-elect, desperate to rescue his following on the platform, could make an untraditional power play.

President-elect Donald Trump is looking to save TikTok from being banned at all costs—even if it means taking a nontraditional route to keep the app in play. As soon as he takes office Jan. 20, sources told The Washington Post that Trump could sign an executive order to suspend the enforcement of the TikTok ban-or-sale law until he can make an adequate deal that would keep the app available in the U.S. A source added that Trump’s interest stems from his fanbase on the app and its ability to serve as an echo-chamber for his political policies. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” said Trump last month when asked how he plans to stop the ban. The topic came up while Trump was discussing foreign policy at a Mar-a-Lago press conference. He added that he would “take a look” at policy surrounding the ban. His position marked a 180-change from his previous support of the ban. In 2020, the government began investigating a ban of the Chinese-owned social media app at his request as then-president, deeming it a “national security threat.”