Trump demands U.S. ownership of TikTok as national security debate intensifies

On the eve of his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to ensure U.S. investors own at least 50% of TikTok, the Chinese-owned short-form video app, as part of his broader push to address national security concerns.

Speaking at a rally in Washington on Sunday, Trump underscored TikTok’s dependence on U.S. government approval for its continued operation in the country.

“Tiktok is worth nothing, zero, without an approval,” Trump said. “If you do approve, they’re worth like a trillion dollars, some crazy number. I’m approving on behalf of the United States, so they’ll have a partner—the United States—and a lot of bidders. The United States will do what we call a joint venture.”

On Sunday, TikTok services were temporarily disrupted for approximately 12 hours, impacting U.S.-based users. The interruption came after the implementation of a new U.S. law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its stake in the platform or face a nationwide ban.

TikTok confirmed the service restoration later that day, attributing the resolution to assurances from Trump to its service providers.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”

The company added: “It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced plans to issue an executive order on Monday, his first day in office, to extend the timeline before the law’s prohibitions take effect.

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“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect so that we can make a deal to protect our national security,” Trump wrote. “The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.”

Trump also hinted at the platform’s importance to his administration, noting its role in broadcasting his inauguration and engaging millions of users across the United States.

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TikTok, owned by the Chinese tech giant ByteDance, has become a focal point in U.S.-China relations and national security discussions. The app has faced scrutiny over its data collection practices and alleged ties to the Chinese government.

Outgoing President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation requiring ByteDance to divest its controlling stake in TikTok within six months or face a U.S. ban. The law is designed to mitigate potential national security risks, including fears that user data could be accessed by Chinese authorities.

With over 170 million American users and its support for more than 7 million small businesses, TikTok’s potential ban would have far-reaching implications. Sunday’s temporary disruption highlighted the app’s critical role in American digital and economic ecosystems.

Trump’s push for U.S. ownership of TikTok signals his administration’s intent to reshape the platform’s future in line with national security priorities. However, negotiations between ByteDance, potential U.S. investors, and regulators are expected to be complex, with no detailed plan yet revealed.

As Trump prepares to take office, TikTok’s fate will be a litmus test for his administration’s approach to balancing economic interests, security concerns, and U.S.-China relations.