The fate of TikTok in the U.S. is hanging by a thread. As the clock ticks down to the January 19, 2025, deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to either sell its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban, CEO Shou Zi Chew is making a bold move he’s attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
This decision isn’t just about attending a high-profile political event; it’s a strategic attempt to engage with U.S. lawmakers at the highest level and potentially shift the narrative around TikTok’s uncertain future. But will it work?
TikTok’s Battle to Stay in the U.S.
TikTok’s legal troubles started long before this administration. For years, U.S. officials have raised concerns about the app’s ties to China, worried that Beijing could access user data.
In April 2024, President Joe Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), giving ByteDance an ultimatum: sell TikTok’s U.S. operations by January 19, 2025 or face a ban.
TikTok fought back, taking its case to the U.S. Court of Appeals, but the challenge was unsuccessful. The company has now escalated its legal battle to the Supreme Court, hoping for an emergency injunction to buy it more time.
Meanwhile, creators, businesses, and influencers relying on TikTok for income anxiously watch from the sidelines, wondering if their primary platform will disappear overnight.
Trump’s Changing Tune on TikTok
It’s no secret that President-elect Trump was one of TikTok’s most prominent critics during his first term. In 2020, his administration attempted to ban the app over national security concerns. But now, things seem to be shifting.
Just last month, Trump filed a brief with the Supreme Court, urging them to delay the enforcement of the TikTok ban to allow more time for a political resolution. He also met with Shou Zi Chew at Mar-a-Lago in December, fueling speculation that TikTok might have a chance at survival under his administration.
There are now reports that Trump is considering issuing an executive order to delay the ban’s enforcement by 60 to 90 days. This would give ByteDance and TikTok more breathing room to negotiate a sale or find an alternative solution that would satisfy lawmakers.
What Does Chew’s Attendance at the Inauguration Mean?
Shou Zi Chew attending Trump’s inauguration isn’t just a courtesy it’s a calculated move. By showing up, he’s signaling that TikTok is serious about working with U.S. policymakers.
He’s also positioning himself to have crucial behind-the-scenes discussions that could influence whether TikTok gets a reprieve or remains on the chopping block.
Some analysts believe Chew’s presence at the event could soften political resistance toward TikTok, especially if he can convince Trump’s allies that banning the platform outright could have economic and political repercussions.
After all, TikTok isn’t just a social media app it’s an industry, a marketplace, and a crucial tool for millions of creators and small businesses.
However, others remain skeptical, arguing that ByteDance’s reluctance to sell TikTok’s robust algorithm (the secret sauce behind the app’s addictive content recommendations) could be a significant roadblock to any deal.
TikTok Under Fire Worldwide
The U.S. isn’t the only country scrutinizing TikTok. Other nations have already taken drastic steps:
India banned TikTok entirely in 2020, citing data security concerns.
The UK prohibited TikTok on government devices in 2023 but still allows public access.
The European Union has debated restrictions, especially concerning how the app handles user data.
These growing international concerns suggest that TikTok’s battle in the U.S. is part of a much larger global conversation about privacy, security, and the influence of foreign-owned tech companies.
It’s too early to say for sure, but Chew’s move to attend Trump’s inauguration adds another layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes showdown. If Trump follows through with an executive order to delay the ban, TikTok could gain the time it desperately needs to strike a deal.
However, even with more time, ByteDance faces immense pressure to comply with U.S. lawmakers’ demands or risk losing access to over 150 million American users.
The uncertainty is frustrating for TikTok creators and businesses, but one thing is clear: Shou Zi Chew isn’t giving up without a fight.
