The Chinese social network plays its last card to avoid the ban in the USA, ready to take effect on January 19th. But the president-elect’s sympathy for social media could work to his advantage
There is just over a month left until January 19th, the day on which the ban on TikTok could be triggered in America unless the Chinese parent company ByteDance cedes ownership.
At the moment, the social network has suffered several defeats in court, including the recent no by the justice system to the request for a suspension of the law.
The last chance remains the Supreme Court, where, however, the chances of victory are limited.
Trump’s opening
This on paper. Because then there is the Donald Trump variable. The president-elect, who during his first mandate had repeatedly attempted to block the social network, adjusted the line during his campaign, promising to commit to saving the social network.
The tycoon would also have said that he believes that TikTok contributed to his electoral victory, allowing him to make inroads among young people, also on the advice of his son Barron.
Meeting at Mar-a-Lago
“On TikTok we will see,” he said. “Republicans are strong among young people, and I have a soft spot” for them, he added, referring to the very young audience on the platform.
A cryptic opening, which however is also accompanied by the news of a meeting that Trump is supposed to have had – on December 16th – with the CEO of TikTok Shou Chew (in the photo, Ansa) at the Mar-a-Lago Club.
But it will be difficult for him to block or water down a law already passed with a large bipartisan majority in Congress.
