Former U.S. President Donald Trump has granted a fresh 90-day extension for Chinese-owned social media giant TikTok to secure an American buyer or face a ban, shifting the app’s deadline to September 17, 2025.
The decision, revealed via Trump’s Truth Social post on Thursday, marks the third reprieve given to the video-sharing platform since legislation mandated a sale or shutdown over national security concerns.
“I’ve just signed the Executive Order extending the deadline for the TikTok closing for 90 days,” Trump wrote, adding that he was still hopeful a deal could be reached to maintain the app’s operations within U.S. borders.
The delay gives ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, more time to resolve lingering negotiations with prospective American investors.
Trump, who has previously praised TikTok’s influence, particularly among young voters, said in a May interview: “I have a little warm spot in my heart for TikTok. If it needs an extension, I would be willing to give it an extension.”
TikTok, which boasts over 170 million users in the U.S. alone, responded positively, expressing appreciation for Trump’s continued support. “We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership and support in ensuring that TikTok continues to be available,” the platform said in a statement.
Trump’s latest move signals a notable shift in tone. While he had earlier aligned with hardline calls for a ban on national security grounds, his stance softened after the app’s role in energizing younger voters during the 2024 election became evident.
Analysts say the extension may be more strategic than legal. “Unless they get on his bad side, TikTok is probably going to be in pretty good shape,” said tech analyst Rob Enderle.
Reports suggest ByteDance has been in talks to spin off TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new entity, with involvement from American firms like Oracle and Blackstone. Oracle, already housing much of TikTok’s U.S. data, is chaired by Trump ally Larry Ellison.
However, any deal would still require approval from both Washington and Beijing. TikTok’s core algorithm remains a major sticking point. “TikTok without its algorithm is like Harry Potter without his wand,” said Kelsey Chickering, Principal Analyst at Forrester.
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The saga underscores broader geopolitical tensions. TikTok has become emblematic of the growing digital standoff between the U.S. and China. “It’s a flashpoint in the new Cold War for digital control,” said Shweta Singh, an information systems scholar at Warwick Business School.
Trump initially delayed the ban for 75 days upon returning to office, followed by a second extension to June 19.
This latest deferral gives negotiators one last window to strike a deal before the ban potentially takes effect.
Meanwhile, TikTok continues business operations unshaken. Just this week, it launched a new generative AI-powered ad creation suite called “Symphony,” allowing brands to transform text and images into engaging short-form videos.
As the clock resets yet again, the fate of TikTok in America remains uncertain — but for now, its scroll goes on.