President cites interest in protecting the app, emphasizes China must comply with U.S. terms
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – May 5, 2025 – President Donald Trump has indicated he may once again extend the TikTok deadline for ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations, if a final deal is not reached by the current deadline of June 19.
In an interview aired on NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, conducted at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump expressed a willingness to allow more time for negotiations. The former president highlighted his appreciation for the popular app, which is used by over 170 million Americans.
Table of Contents
Trump: “TikTok Will Be Protected”
“I would… I’d like to see it done,” Trump said during the interview, referencing the pending deal involving TikTok’s U.S. assets. He emphasized that he sees value in TikTok, particularly after it helped him attract younger voters during the 2024 presidential election.
“TikTok is—it’s very interesting, but it will be protected,” he stated, signaling that he is not in favor of an outright ban on the app, despite national security concerns.
Background: What the TikTok Deadline Means
The TikTok deadline was originally mandated by Congress, requiring China-based ByteDance to complete a full divestment of TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban. The initial enforcement date was set for January 19, 2025.
However, upon taking office for a second term on January 20, Trump delayed the enforcement. He has since extended the deadline twice—first to early April, and then again to June 19.
Deal Faces Roadblocks Amid Tariffs and Chinese Pushback
Negotiations had been underway to spin off TikTok’s U.S. operations into a newly formed company, majority-owned and managed by American investors. But the talks hit a stalemate after China opposed the terms, particularly following Trump’s imposition of 145% tariffs on Chinese imports.
“China wants to make a deal,” Trump asserted, linking Beijing’s interest to the economic pressure from the high tariffs. Still, he confirmed that he would not reduce tariffs simply to secure the TikTok agreement.
“At some point, I’m going to lower them because otherwise, you could never do business with them. And they want to do business very much,” Trump said.
Legal Challenges to Trump’s Authority
Some Democratic lawmakers argue that President Trump lacks the legal authority to extend the TikTok deadline beyond the period mandated by Congress. They also question whether the proposed deal would meet the necessary legal and regulatory requirements.
Despite the legal scrutiny, Trump has maintained control over the enforcement of the TikTok restrictions since taking office and continues to position the situation as part of a broader U.S.-China negotiation framework.
Conclusion
As the June 19 TikTok deadline looms, President Trump’s openness to another extension signals both the app’s growing significance in U.S. political and social life and the complexity of international tech negotiations. While Trump emphasizes the need to protect TikTok and keep it accessible to the 170 million American users, his hardline stance on Chinese tariffs and national security concerns continues to cloud the deal’s future.
The impasse reflects broader tensions between Washington and Beijing—where business interests, digital influence, and legislative authority intersect. With Democratic lawmakers raising legal objections and China resisting U.S. ownership terms, the resolution of the TikTok deal is far from guaranteed.
Stay Updated on the TikTok Deadline and More with Hours of News
For continuous updates on the global politics, tech developments, and more, visit Hours of News—your trusted source for timely and accurate news coverage across every sector.
