“President Trump refrains from expressing a definitive stance on the underlying merits of the ongoing dispute. Instead, he humbly urges the Court to contemplate delaying the deadline for divestment set by the Act until January 19, 2025, while it carefully evaluates the complexities of this case,” as stated by Sauer.
However, on the alternative platform TruthSocial, Trump has been candid in his opposition to the proposed ban on TikTok. Recently, he took to social media, questioning the rationale behind eliminating TikTok. In a post on Friday morning, he rhetorically asked, “Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?” alongside a digital illustration showcasing the higher viewership of his TikTok account compared to those of Vice President Kamala Harris, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Fox News, and popular music icons Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
Notably, NBC News has not independently verified the accuracy of the data presented in this graphic.
The Supreme Court has consented to entertain arguments in this case on January 10, a mere nine days before the impending ban on the app under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This legislation was passed by Congress last year with bipartisan support and subsequently ratified by President Joe Biden.
The Act mandates a ban on TikTok only if the ownership remains with ByteDance, a Chinese entity. This provision effectively urges ByteDance to divest the app to a U.S.-based company to ensure its continued operation within the country.
Justice Department attorneys emphasized in their filing on Friday that, post-divestiture, TikTok would retain the ability to deliver content in the same manner as before. They clarified that the Act primarily focuses on control by a foreign adversary, not on impeding protected speech.
A representative for Trump’s transition team has not promptly responded to requests for comment.
