Trump's pragmatic approach to TikTok shows smart dealmaking that prioritizes American interests while avoiding unnecessary disruption. The extensions give time to secure a proper sale that protects user data without destroying a platform that 170 million Americans enjoy. China's interference with the deal after tariff announcements proves that Trump's tough trade stance is working.
These repeated extensions undermine congressional authority and national security by allowing a Chinese-controlled app to continue operating despite bipartisan concerns. The law was clear about divestiture requirements, yet Trump continues to move the goalposts while China manipulates negotiations. This sets a dangerous precedent for foreign influence operations.
There's a 9.2% chance that TikTok will still be available in the U.S. on Dec. 31, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.