Donald Trump Issues Third 90-Day Extension for TikTok’s Sale Amidst Potential Shutdown
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, now faces a new extended deadline to sell the platform by this September — otherwise it will be shut down across the United States.
Courtesy of Shutterstock.
Courtesy of Shutterstock.
TikTok has once again avoided a potential U.S. shutdown — at least for now.
In a move that reshapes the timeline of one of the most closely watched tech and policy showdowns, President Donald Trump on Thursday (June 19) signed an executive order granting a 90-day extension to ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok. The order pushes the divestment deadline for TikTok’s U.S. operations to September 17, 2025. The extension means enforcement of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is now on hold, giving ByteDance more time to finalize a sale and sidestep a nationwide ban.
“During this period, the Department of Justice shall take no action to enforce the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act… or impose any penalties against any entity for any noncompliance with the Act,” reads the executive order.
This marks the third reprieve since Trump took office earlier this January, continuing a policy trajectory that began under former President Joe Biden. Biden’s original order called for TikTok to be sold or shut down by January 19, 2025. That deadline led to the platform being temporarily pulled offline for U.S. users earlier this year, when app store giants Apple and Google removed TikTok after the Supreme Court upheld the law. The service was restored just a day later, following what TikTok said were “necessary clarity and assurances” provided by the Trump administration.
TikTok, which counts more than 170 million users in the U.S. and serves as a platform for over 7.5 million businesses, released an official statement via the Associated Press following the announcement. “We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership and support in ensuring that TikTok continues to be available for more than 170 million American users and 7.5 million US businesses that rely on the platform as we continue to work with Vice President Vance’s Office,” said the platform.
The Trump administration framed the delay as a strategic move. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had stated last week, “President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark. This extension will last 90 days, which the Administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure.”
However, a sale is still far from certain. Speaking to reporters on June 17, Trump acknowledged the potential roadblocks, stating, “[I] probably have to get China approval, but I think we’ll get it. I think President Xi [Jinping] will ultimately approve it,” he said, according to a report from Reuters.
Multiple potential buyers have emerged in recent months, including Amazon and Oracle. Another bid is reportedly being put together by a group that includes Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, real estate mogul Frank McCourt, and Employer.com’s Jesse Tinsley. OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely has also entered the race through his new platform, Zoop.
With the clock now ticking toward the September deadline, the stakes remain high — not just for ByteDance, but for the millions of creators, brands, and fans who rely on TikTok as a cultural and commercial engine.