Donald Trump Proposes U.S. Ownership Stake in TikTok.

In a significant move just hours before his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump has proposed that the U.S. government acquire a 50 percent ownership stake in TikTok. This suggestion comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling allowing a controversial ban on the popular social media app to take effect, following the rejection of an appeal from TikTok’s owners that argued the ban infringed upon First Amendment rights.

On Sunday, Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that he intends to issue an executive order to delay the enforcement of the ban. This extension aims to facilitate negotiations that would safeguard U.S. national security while allowing TikTok to remain operational in the country.

Trump articulated his vision for a joint venture, stating, “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to stay up. Without U.S. approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions.” He further emphasized the potential benefits of a partnership between U.S. entities and TikTok’s current or prospective owners.

This proposal highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding foreign-owned technology firms in the United States, particularly in relation to national security concerns. As the situation develops, the implications for TikTok and its millions of American users remain to be seen.