Trump’s TikTok tango: a move to preserve the viral giant?

Rep. Mike Waltz, the pick for national security adviser for Trump, hinted that the president-elect is seeking ways to "preserve" TikTok. In a recent interview, Waltz addressed reports about a possible executive order to halt the enforcement of a law that could ban TikTok by this Sunday. TikTok's legal troubles stem from a national security law, with the platform's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, caught in the middle. Even so, the high court is poised to rule that there should indeed be a ban. Trump's team isn't idle, Waltz says Trump-elect is firm in his bid to "defend" information while making TikTok work:. During his first term, Trump attempted to ban TikTok due to national security concerns, but things have taken a sharp turn. Fast forward to 2024, and the president-elect has not only joined the platform but has credited it with helping him connect with younger voters, especially those he dubbed the "TikTok generation." As the legal battle over TikTok's U.S. presence heats up, Trump’s camp is now trying to find ways to keep the app alive. According to Waltz, Trump is eyeing a “deal” that would protect user data while keeping the platform intact. Who knew Trump was such a TikTok fan? Pam Bondi, Trump's pick for attorney general, dodged a question on whether she’d enforce a TikTok ban during her Senate confirmation hearing. Her non-answer is raising eyebrows as the legal challenge to TikTok’s U.S. operations continues. While it’s clear that Trump’s team has a complicated relationship with the app, Bondi’s unwillingness to take a stance highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future. Whether she’ll be a roadblock or a collaborator in Trump’s bid to preserve the platform remains to be seen.