TikTok faces a looming U.S. ban as the app awaits a potential 90-day reprieve under President-elect Trump. Users, businesses, and partners brace for uncertain days ahead.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday he would "most likely" give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban after he takes office on Monday, as the app with 170 million American users buzzed with nervous anticipation ahead of a shutdown set for Sunday.
"The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate," Trump told NBC in an interview. "If I decide to do that, I'll probably announce it on Monday."
The Chinese-owned app, which has captivated nearly half of all Americans, powered small businesses and shaped online culture, said on Friday it will go dark in the U.S. on Sunday unless President Joe Biden's administration provides assurances to companies such as Apple and Google that they will not face enforcement actions when a ban takes effect.
Under a law passed last year and upheld on Friday by a unanimous Supreme Court, the platform has until Sunday to cut ties with its China-based parent ByteDance or shut down its U.S. operation to resolve concerns it poses a threat to national security.
The White House dismissed TikTok's Friday comment as a stunt, reiterating on Saturday that it was up to the incoming Trump administration to take action, increasing the likelihood of a shutdown on Sunday.
"We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new White House statement.
The Chinese embassy in Washington on Friday accused the U.S. of using unfair state power to suppress TikTok. "China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," a spokesperson said.
Users on the app were saying their goodbyes, some filming themselves frantically scrolling or sharing final secrets with their followers ahead of the ban.
“Does anyone know if the TikTok ban goes into effect on Sunday or if we have all of Sunday to like brain rot still? I need to plan accordingly,” fitness influencer Britany Williams said in a video to her 64,000 followers.
Supreme Court justices upheld the ban on Friday in a unanimous decision.
Without a decision by Biden to formally invoke a 90-day delay in the deadline, companies providing services to TikTok or hosting the app could face legal liability. It is not clear if TikTok's business partners, including Apple, Alphabet's Google and Oracle, will continue doing business with it before Trump is inaugurated on Monday.
Trump helped initiate the U.S. moves against TikTok at the end of his first term, telling reporters he would ban the app.
Washington, D.C., February 19, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Air Force One that he is in discussions with Chinese officials regarding TikTok, as the United States seeks to broker a sale of the popular social media app, Reuters reported.
Billionaire Elon Musk has stated that he is not interested in purchasing TikTok, despite speculation following U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting he could buy the app.
TikTok may be back online for now, but its long-term fate in the United States remains uncertain. A temporary pause on a ban, granted by President Trump’s executive order delaying enforcement, has bought the company some time—but a final resolution is still pending.
TikTok shuts down in the U.S. ahead of ban; Trump hints at 90-day reprieve after taking office Monday.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Serb entity, Republika Srpska (RS), adopted a new draft constitution, along with a law on protecting the constitutional order. The legislation expands RS's decision-making powers, challenging the authority of the country’s central government.
Cuba’s power grid has collapsed, causing a nationwide blackout and internet disruptions.
Mark Carney is Canada’s new prime minister, taking office amid a trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump.
A blast at a mosque in northwestern Pakistan injured four people, including two children and a local Islamist party leader, as authorities investigate the attack.
Italy’s Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions are grappling with severe flooding and landslides, prompting a red weather alert as heavy rains inundate streets and homes.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
BioNTech forecasts a revenue decline for 2025, expecting between 1.7 billion and 2.2 billion euros, down from 2.75 billion euros last year. This drop is due to Pfizer write-downs and stable vaccination rates. BioNTech also plans significant job cuts and new hires.
Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan process, we cannot forget the years of occupation, and we will not forget them, President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Global Baku Forum.
BMW expects a €1 billion loss for 2025 due to the US-EU tariff dispute, including a 25% duty on certain vehicles and tariffs on its China-made electric cars. The company hopes not all tariffs will remain for the full year.
Uzbekistan has signed an agreement with French and Japanese companies to initiate uranium production in the Navoi region by the end of 2025.
The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and some Hong Kong-flagged vessels that are part of a shadow fleet that helps disguise Iranian oil shipments, the Treasury Department said.
Türkiye’s state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation signed a joint venture agreement with U.S. oil giants Continental Resources and TransAtlantic Petroleum, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced.
The Bank of Canada trimmed its key policy rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, lowering it to 2.75%, as concerns mount over inflationary pressures and weaker economic growth driven by renewed trade uncertainties and tariff threats.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Serb entity, Republika Srpska (RS), adopted a new draft constitution, along with a law on protecting the constitutional order. The legislation expands RS's decision-making powers, challenging the authority of the country’s central government.
Cuba’s power grid has collapsed, causing a nationwide blackout and internet disruptions.
Mark Carney is Canada’s new prime minister, taking office amid a trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump.
A blast at a mosque in northwestern Pakistan injured four people, including two children and a local Islamist party leader, as authorities investigate the attack.
Italy’s Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions are grappling with severe flooding and landslides, prompting a red weather alert as heavy rains inundate streets and homes.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment