Is TikTok Getting Banned in the US? Trump Extends Deadline but Uncertainty Remains

By elouanes soualili | Published September 2025

The future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, as President Donald Trump has extended the deadline until December 16 for the Chinese-owned app to remain operational while negotiations continue. The extension gives TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, more time to finalize a deal with potential American buyers.

Why Is TikTok in Trouble?

TikTok’s challenges in the US are rooted in national security concerns. The Trump administration has long argued that ByteDance collects vast amounts of data from American users and may be compelled to share it with the Chinese government.

Is TikTok Being Banned?

Not yet — but it is still on the table. The latest executive order signed by Trump marks the fourth time he has extended the deadline, buying more time for a sale or restructuring. If TikTok fails to sell its US operations to an American company, the app could still face a full ban.

A Fragile Framework Deal

The current framework for TikTok’s US future was shaped during high-level meetings in Madrid between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Both sides described the agreement as a “basic framework consensus” designed to transfer TikTok’s American operations into US ownership, reduce barriers to investment, and stabilize trade relations.

Expert Opinions: Is TikTok Worth the Hassle?

Some analysts argue that TikTok’s golden age may already be fading. According to Professor Dimitar Gueorguiev of Syracuse University:

“The US–China deal on TikTok may look like a breakthrough, but it risks being a Pyrrhic victory. Its famous algorithm, once seen as uniquely powerful, has lost much of its mystique — the secret was not the code itself but TikTok’s early-mover advantage and network effects.”

In other words, any US buyer would be acquiring market share and a user base, not transformative technology.

Politics and Public Perception

For Trump, TikTok carries political weight. He has admitted that the platform helped him connect with younger voters during the 2024 election. Preserving the app, while addressing security concerns, could offer him a strategic win. But repeated extensions also raise concerns about regulatory credibility.

What Happens Next?

The new deadline of December 16 gives ByteDance and Washington just weeks to reach a final agreement. If no deal is struck, the possibility of a US ban on TikTok remains real. For now, TikTok continues to operate, but both investors and users are watching closely.