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SCOTUS hears arguments on TikTok as U.S. ban looms
The Supreme Court on Jan. 10, 2025, heard oral arguments over the future of TikTok after a new law is requiring ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to either sell the app or shut it down in the U.S. by January 19. LiveNOW's Christina Evans breaks it down with Adam Kovacevich, a tech policy expert.
WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump is "going to find a way to preserve TikTok" as it awaits a ruling from the Supreme Court on a potential U.S. ban, according to his pick for national security adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz.
Waltz made the comments Wednesday during an appearance on FOX News.
Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a legal challenge to the statute brought by TikTok, its China-based parent company ByteDance, and users of the app. The justices seemed likely to uphold the law, which requires ByteDance to sell TikTok on national security grounds or face a ban in one of its biggest markets.
RELATED: TikTok ban: How and when app will reportedly shut down for U.S. users
TikTok ban: Trump seeks to ‘preserve’ app
What we know:
The federal law, which passed with bipartisan support last year and was signed by President Joe Biden, cites national security concerns over the company’s ties to the Chinese government. It mandates that ByteDance sell TikTok’s U.S. operations by Jan. 19 or face a ban. The issue is currently awaiting a ruling by the Supreme Court.
During his appearance on FOX News, Waltz was asked about a report from The Washington Post that said Trump was considering an executive order to suspend enforcement of the federal law that could ban the popular platform nationwide by Jan. 19.
"If the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling in favor of the law, President Trump has been very clear: Number one, TikTok’s a great platform that many Americans use and was great for his campaign and getting his message out. But number two, he’s going to protect their data," Waltz said.
"He’s a deal maker. I don’t want to get ahead of our executive orders, but we’re going to create this space to put that deal in place," he added.
Separately on Wednesday, Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general, dodged a question during a Senate hearing on whether she’d uphold a TikTok ban.
What we don't know:
The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the case, although the justices during oral arguments signaled the court may uphold the ban on TikTok over national security concerns. The specifics of any Trump-involved deal or executive order remain unclear. Trump takes office on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20 – a day after the law’s ban date.
What they're saying:
"It’s the threat from China seeing the data, being able to manipulate hundreds of millions of Americans," Waltz continued. "TikTok itself is a fantastic platform. I wish I could have it on my phone. The algorithm is amazing. We’re going to find a way to preserve it but protect people’s data – and that’s the deal that will be in front of us."
FILE - The TikTok app is displayed in the app store in this arranged photograph in view of a video feed of U.S. President Donald Trump, on Aug. 3, 2020. Photographer: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The backstory:
Trump has reversed his position on the popular app, having tried to ban it during his first term in office over national security concerns. He joined TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign and his team used it to connect with younger voters, especially male voters, by pushing content aimed at going viral. He pledged to "save TikTok" during the campaign and has credited the platform with helping him win more youth votes.
The Source: This story was reported based on comments from President-elect Donald Trump's pick for national security adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, on Jan. 15, 2025, during an appearance on FOX News. It was reported from Cincinnati, and the Associated Press contributed.