Once again, TikTok’s future in the United States is hanging by a thread. Former President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, June 17, that he will “probably” extend the deadline for TikTok to be sold by its Chinese parent company ByteDance.
The current deadline is Thursday, June 19. If ByteDance doesn’t sell TikTok’s U.S. operations by then, the app could be banned again—just like it was earlier this year for a short period.
Trump Says Extension Is Likely
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “We probably have to get China approval. I think we’ll get it. I think [Chinese] President Xi will ultimately approve it.”
This suggests that negotiations are still ongoing and that Trump believes a deal is close. He also confirmed that he believes he has the legal authority to push the deadline again.
“Yes, I do,” Trump said when asked if he could legally issue another extension.
TikTok Already Faced a Short Ban Earlier This Year
Back in January 2025, TikTok was briefly banned in the U.S. for more than 12 hours. This happened because ByteDance failed to meet the original deadline to sell its U.S. assets. The ban was part of a law signed by President Joe Biden in 2024, which gave ByteDance until January 19, 2025, to divest the app or face restrictions.
During the short ban, TikTok disappeared from app stores, and internet providers stopped allowing users to access the platform. Many users woke up that day to find the app simply didn’t work.
However, Trump stepped in and allowed internet services and app stores like Apple and Google to restore TikTok without facing legal trouble. The app returned to stores on February 13.
Why Is TikTok Facing a Ban in the First Place?
The push to ban TikTok in the U.S. began with concerns about national security. Lawmakers from both political parties have raised questions about TikTok’s ownership by ByteDance, a China-based company.
They worry that ByteDance could share American user data with the Chinese government, though the company strongly denies these accusations. So far, there is no clear evidence proving that TikTok has handed over any personal data to Chinese authorities.
Still, fears remain high, and the law Biden signed aims to separate TikTok from China by forcing a sale of its U.S. branch.
What Happens if the June 19 Deadline Passes?
If ByteDance does not sell TikTok by the June 19 deadline, the app could face another ban in the U.S. This would mean:
- App stores would be required to remove TikTok again.
- Internet service providers might be asked to block access to the platform.
- Companies that help users access TikTok could face heavy fines.
Under current law, companies could be fined $5,000 per user if they help people download or update TikTok after a ban. For large tech firms like Apple and Google, these fines could add up quickly, possibly reaching millions of dollars.
How Is Trump Delaying the Ban?
The law passed in 2024 allows the U.S. president to extend the deadline once—for 90 days. However, Trump hasn’t used this option directly.
Instead, he has signed executive orders to delay the ban by 75 days at a time. He did this once in January and again in April. Now, with the next deadline approaching on June 19, Trump is expected to sign another executive order.
This method has raised some legal questions, but so far, no court has stopped him from using executive authority in this way.
Is a Sale Likely to Happen Soon?
So far, ByteDance has not completed a sale of TikTok’s U.S. business. Talks have been happening for months, and several U.S. companies have shown interest in buying the app. However, reaching a final agreement has proven difficult.
China’s government also plays a role. Since ByteDance is based there, any sale involving TikTok needs Chinese approval. Trump himself noted this in his latest comments, saying, “We probably have to get China approval.”
Analysts believe that political tensions between the U.S. and China could be slowing things down.
What Are the Bigger Implications?
The ongoing battle over TikTok goes beyond just one app. It highlights the larger issue of how governments are handling foreign-owned tech platforms and data privacy concerns.
TikTok has over 150 million users in the U.S., and many of them are young. The app has become a major force in online culture, entertainment, and even politics. Any major change to how TikTok operates in the U.S. could have a wide impact on social media and digital advertising.
TikTok’s Future Remains Uncertain
With just days to go until the next deadline, TikTok users, creators, and companies are waiting anxiously to see what will happen. Will Trump issue another delay? Will ByteDance finally make a deal? Or will TikTok go dark in the U.S. again?
While we don’t have a clear answer yet, what’s certain is that this debate is far from over. For now, all eyes are on June 19—and on what Trump decides to do next.
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