TikTok faces imminent shutdown in the U.S. this Sunday after the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the platform's appeal challenging its ban.
The court dismissed TikTok's First Amendment arguments, stating: "While data collection is commonplace today, TikTok's massive scale and potential foreign control, combined with its extensive sensitive data gathering, warrant special measures to protect national security."
Without last-minute political action, TikTok will become inaccessible nationwide. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed President Biden supports TikTok remaining operational under U.S. ownership, but implementation now falls to President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.
The Supreme Court ruling stated: "While TikTok serves 170 million Americans as a unique platform for expression and community, Congress has properly mandated divestiture to address documented national security risks posed by its data practices and foreign ties."
Trump has historically opposed banning TikTok, and analysts speculate he might issue an executive order delaying enforcement for 60-90 days after taking office Monday. On Truth Social, Trump revealed he's already engaged in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the ban.
The Chinese government's position on selling TikTok remains uncertain, though sources indicate complete acquisition by Western interests remains possible. Elon Musk, advisor to the incoming administration, reportedly may facilitate negotiations between potential buyers or consider acquiring TikTok himself.
As uncertainty looms, TikTok users have been migrating en masse to Chinese alternative Xiaohongshu (Red Note), which reportedly gained over 700,000 new U.S. users last week.
TikTok's U.S. future appears limited to two paths: acquisition by American interests or complete shutdown - unless President Trump intervenes with executive action.
