President Donald Trump has signaled he’s open to extending the June 19 deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets—if a deal isn’t finalized in time. In a sit-down with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump made clear that he’s not looking to kill TikTok but to keep it American.
“I’d like to see it done,” Trump said, referencing an ongoing deal that would move TikTok’s U.S. operations under majority U.S. ownership. “TikTok helped me reach young voters in 2024. It’s very interesting—but it will be protected.” That blend of national security and smart political strategy is classic Trump.
While Democrats claim he lacks the authority to grant more time, Trump isn’t buying it. He’s already pushed the deadline twice and is prioritizing a deal that protects American users without a heavy-handed ban. “This isn’t about shutting things down—it’s about control, transparency, and American interests,” one Trump campaign insider said.
The holdup? China’s resistance, especially after Trump imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. “They want to make a deal badly,” Trump said. “But I’m not dropping tariffs just to get them to the table. We’ll do it on our terms.”
Still, Trump made clear he’s not anti-China—just pro-America. “Eventually I’ll lower them, but only as part of a broader agreement.”
Trump is playing hardball on the global stage while staying smart at home. He’s not banning TikTok out of spite—he’s negotiating to keep it under U.S. control, on U.S. soil, and in the hands of U.S. investors.
In true Trump fashion, it’s America First—with a side of savvy media strategy.
