Watch This | Trump voices support for TikTok amid legal battle over US ban

On Dec. 22, US President-elect Donald Trump expressed his support for TikTok's continued operation in the US during a speech in Phoenix, Arizona. His remarks represent one of his strongest signals yet against forcing TikTok out of the US market.

Trump previously stated on Dec. 16 that he had "a warm spot" for TikTok, noting its potential role in helping him secure a 34-point margin of support among younger voters in the election. 

TikTok has been embroiled in a legal battle with the US government over a forced sale order. The company's lawyers argue that such an order violates TikTok's constitutional rights, along with the rights of 170 million US users. TikTok also warned on its social media accounts that small businesses could lose over US$1 billion in revenue, and creators may forfeit nearly US$300 million in income within a month if the sale order is not frozen.

The Biden administration initiated new legislation in April 2024, dubbed the "sell or ban" law, which mandated that TikTok's parent company ByteDance sell the app to a non-Chinese entity within 270 days or face a nationwide ban starting Jan. 19, 2025.

TikTok filed a lawsuit on May 7 to challenge the legislation, but on Dec. 6, the US DC Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal.

On Dec. 16, TikTok requested the US Supreme Court to temporarily freeze the forced sale order. On the same day, Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he reiterated his positive view of the app during a press conference.

The US Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on Jan. 10, 2025, to review the case, just days before the law is set to take effect on Jan. 19—one day before Trump's inauguration.

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