TikTok has been given another lifeline. In a new executive order signed Thursday, former President Donald Trump granted the company a 90-day extension to finalize a deal that addresses long-standing national security concerns over its ownership by Chinese tech firm ByteDance.
The move comes as enforcement of a law passed in 2024—which mandated that ByteDance divest TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban—was set to begin. The order now pushes that deadline to September 17, temporarily shielding the company and its business partners from penalties.
The decision eases tensions surrounding the app’s future in the United States, where it boasts more than 170 million users and serves as a vital platform for millions of creators and small businesses. In a statement, TikTok said it welcomed the additional time and expressed appreciation for ongoing efforts to preserve access for its American user base.
The company’s U.S. headquarters are based in Culver City, with Los Angeles serving as a creative hub for a thriving community of content creators who have built careers—and livelihoods—on the platform.
TikTok’s fate has attracted the interest of major players. Amazon is reportedly among the potential buyers, along with a group led by former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. That consortium also includes investor and entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary. Another notable suitor, AI startup Perplexity, has pitched a vision to reimagine TikTok’s core algorithm using its own technology.
For now, TikTok remains in limbo—but with the extension, negotiations and speculation about the platform’s future will continue through the summer. Whether the deal that ultimately emerges can satisfy Washington’s security demands while preserving TikTok’s unique cultural and business footprint remains to be seen.