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President-elect Donald Trump plans to take decisive action to preserve TikTok when he assumes office, according to incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
With the app’s U.S. operations facing a ban if its Chinese owner ByteDance does not divest by Sunday, Waltz emphasized Trump’s commitment to maintaining access to the platform while protecting users' data.
Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, Waltz highlighted TikTok’s value and the president-elect’s intent to strike a balance between security concerns and user access.
"TikTok itself is a fantastic platform,” Waltz stated. “The algorithm is amazing. We’re going to find a way to preserve it but protect people’s data. That’s the deal we’re focused on.”
The comments come as The Washington Post reported Trump’s consideration of various strategies, including issuing an executive order, to prevent a ban on TikTok. A bipartisan law signed by President Joe Biden in April mandates TikTok’s divestiture from ByteDance to address national security risks stemming from its Chinese ties.
The issue reached the Supreme Court last week, where justices heard arguments concerning the law. The court is expected to decide whether to uphold the law and ban TikTok, strike it down on First Amendment grounds, or provide temporary relief until a final ruling is made.
During the hearing, justices acknowledged the government’s concerns about potential Chinese access to U.S. user data.
Waltz reiterated Trump’s dual priorities of data protection and access to the platform. “President Trump has been very clear,” he said.
“TikTok is a great platform that many Americans use and was vital for his campaign messaging. But he is also committed to safeguarding users’ data.”
Highlighting the importance of privacy, Waltz explained, “There are people who don’t want the U.S. government seeing their data and passwords. We certainly don’t want the Chinese government accessing them either.”
He added, “Trump is a dealmaker. While I don’t want to get ahead of our executive orders, we’re going to create the space to put a deal in place.”
The administration’s potential move to preserve TikTok is likely to spark significant debate. The platform has faced bipartisan scrutiny in Congress over its data privacy practices and ties to the Chinese government.
Meanwhile, Trump’s team remains focused on striking a solution that ensures TikTok’s continued operation in the U.S. while addressing pressing security concerns.
As the deadline approaches, the Supreme Court’s ruling could significantly impact the platform’s future. Whether TikTok survives under its current ownership or shifts to new hands, the next administration appears determined to safeguard both access to the app and national security.
