Donald Trump Urges Supreme Court to Delay TikTok Ban

Donald Trump is making moves to stop the TikTok ban before it hits. With a new law set to take effect on January 19—just one day before his second presidential inauguration—the former president has asked the Supreme Court to delay the mandate. The legislation demands TikTok either sell its Chinese parent company or shut down operations entirely.

Trump’s lawyer, John Sauer, filed a brief on Friday urging the Supreme Court to pause the law, arguing that Trump should have the chance to negotiate a solution once he’s back in the Oval Office. According to the documents via TMZ, Trump believes his reputation as a “deal-maker” uniquely qualifies him to strike a resolution that balances national security concerns with keeping TikTok alive for its millions of users.

Trump also pointed to his immense influence on social media, emphasizing that his experience with platforms like Twitter (now X) and Truth Social make him the right person to step in. The brief states, “Trump is one of the most powerful, prolific, and influential users of social media in history,” noting his 15 million TikTok followers as further evidence of his stake in the platform’s future.

TikTok, unsurprisingly, is fighting the ban, arguing that it violates the First Amendment and threatens the livelihood of its U.S.-based creators and businesses. Meanwhile, the federal government maintains the new law is necessary to address potential risks, citing concerns that TikTok’s Chinese parent company could allow foreign influence and compromise national security.

Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, released a statement to TMZ, saying, “Today, President Donald J. Trump filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Court to extend the deadline that would cause TikTok’s imminent shutdown, and allow President Trump the opportunity to resolve the issue in a way that saves TikTok and preserves American national security once he resumes office as President of the United States on January 20, 2025.”

With the Supreme Court’s decision pending, all eyes are on whether TikTok will survive its toughest challenge yet—or if Trump’s negotiation skills can save the platform at the eleventh hour.

What are your thoughts on Trump’s push to save TikTok? Should he get the chance to negotiate a resolution, or is the ban the right move? Let us know in the comments below!