Trump Expected To Sign Bill Forcing TikTok Sale or U.S. Ban
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump is expected to sign a bill into law today that coudl lead to a nationwide ban of the popular social media app TikTok if its Chinese owner, ByteDance, does not sell its stake in the company within nine months. The legislation, passed by Congress wiht bipartisan support, raises national security concerns regarding data privacy and potential Chinese government influence.
the bill’s passage and impending enactment mark a important escalation in U.S. scrutiny of foreign-owned technology companies. It impacts over 170 million American TikTok users, as well as ByteDance, and sets a precedent for potential restrictions on other apps deemed to pose a security risk. If a sale doesn’t occur, app stores would be prohibited from offering TikTok, and web hosting services would be blocked from supporting it within the United States.
Concerns have centered on TikTok’s data collection practices and the possibility that the Chinese government could compel ByteDance to share user facts or manipulate the content Americans see. TikTok has consistently denied these allegations, asserting its independence and commitment to protecting user data. in a lawsuit, the company claimed a previous attempt at a ban violated its First Amendment rights, but the Supreme Court ultimately upheld the government’s national security concerns in january.
Recent statements from Trump suggest a potential openness to a deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. under new ownership. he indicated that China had given “approval” for a potential agreement,though details remain scarce. “I’m told China doesn’t want TikTok to be owned by anybody other than them,” Trump said in a recent post on his social media platform, Truth Social. Another statement suggested a deal had been reached, though details remain unclear.
Further Reading
* Trump Says China Gave ‘Approval’ For TikTok Deal (Forbes, September 19, 2025)
* Trump Suggests TikTok ‘Deal’ Reached With china -What to Know (Forbes, September 15, 2025)