After a turbulent year filled with legal battles and an impending US ban, TikTok might now have a surprising ally in Donald Trump, the man who once sought to ban the app.

Trump, who previously ordered TikTok’s shutdown over national security concerns, has now vowed to oppose such a ban if he returns to office. As TikTok’s legal fight with the US government continues, a critical court ruling is expected by Dec. 6, with the potential to reach the Supreme Court if either party appeals. Should the current law prevail, ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, could be forced to sell or shut down its US operations by Jan. 19 — just one day before Trump’s second inauguration.

Trump’s unexpected shift on TikTok has drawn attention, especially given his past criticism of the platform. In a September post on Truth Social, Trump urged TikTok supporters to vote for him, suggesting his commitment to preserving the app for its US users. However, it’s unclear how he plans to fulfill this promise. His spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, only stated that he intends to follow through on his campaign pledges.

TikTok’s national security controversy

Since 2020, TikTok has faced scrutiny over its ties to ByteDance, with concerns that the Chinese government could access US user data. President Biden’s administration has also pressed for divestment, demanding ByteDance sell its US stakes to mitigate these security risks. With a possible extension, the deadline could stretch into Trump’s first 100 days in office, giving him a unique opportunity to revisit the issue.

Despite the pressure, ByteDance has shown resistance, citing divestiture as impractical. The company has invested heavily in lobbying efforts, spending over $8 million to secure its position. Reports indicate that even conservative circles, including former Trump aides David Urban and Kellyanne Conway, have engaged in lobbying and consulting for ByteDance-related interests.

Trump’s options if TikTok Is banned

If the court upholds the divestment law, enforcement would fall to Trump’s Justice Department, which could fine companies supporting TikTok’s continued availability on US app stores. Trump may issue an executive order to nullify the ban or push Congress to repeal the law, though his support base among Congressional Republicans largely favors restricting TikTok’s ties to China.

A possible compromise could involve negotiating a new agreement with TikTok, akin to the 2022 draft deal ByteDance proposed to the Biden administration. This plan included increased oversight but faced pushback due to TikTok’s technical complexity.

With no recent intelligence briefings, Trump may reconsider his stance once in office, potentially stepping back from his campaign promise. Harvard Law’s Leah Plunkett suggests that ByteDance should prepare a divestiture plan to comply with the law, citing the uncertainty of Trump’s intentions.

For now, Trump’s pledge to “save TikTok” may provide the platform with temporary relief, but the road ahead remains unpredictable, hinging on both legal outcomes and Trump’s future policy decisions. AP