President Donald Trump has played down concerns about China’s alleged use of TikTok for spying on Americans. This comes shortly after he issued an executive order to postpone the banning of the popular social media app.
The president sat down with Fox News titan Sean Hannity and said the app is for children who watch crazy videos.
Trump’s remarks come only days after the Supreme Court upheld a law that would have seen the app banned across America.
The app went dark on Sunday before being gradually restored.
And Trump signed an executive order that delays any ban.
He wants an American company to hold a 50% share in the social media giant.
Trump was pressed by Hannity on the supposed links the app has with the Chinese Communist Party.
“I know. But you can say that about everything made in China,” Trump told Fox News.
“Look we have our telephones made in China for the most part. We have so many things made in China.
“So why don’t they mention that.
“The interesting thing with TikTok, though, is you’re dealing with a lot of young people.
“So is it that important for China to be spying on young people, on young kids watching crazy videos?”
Trump used TikTok often during his successful 2024 campaign and it helped boost his support among younger voters.
Within hours of his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order that gave TikTok a temporary stay.
The ban has been delayed by 75 days.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has been mandated to either sell the platform or face a ban in the United States. With 170 million American users, TikTok’s future remains uncertain unless a sale occurs.
How could Trump save TikTok
On January 17, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld a congressional bill banning TikTok in the United States
The ban went into force on January 19 and users received a message that the app was no longer available.
But, bosses urged fans to stay tuned.
Joe Biden refused to take any action when it came to enforcing the ban before leaving office on January 20.
He said that the issue will be for the incoming administration.
President Donald Trump has vowed to save the app.
Trump signed an executive order delaying any ban for 75 days.
He wants an American company to hold a 50% share in the social media giant.
Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle have expressed fears that CCP elites use the app to spy on Americans.
National Security officials have claimed the app has a frightening ability to access, track and store data, according to Axios.
Michael McCaul, a Republican lawmaker, described TikTok as a spy balloon in Americans phones.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri highlighted the potential dangers, stating, “If you have TikTok installed on your phone, it has the ability to track your location, access your text messages, and monitor your typing activity.”
“It has access to your phone records.”
Hawley claimed this was a national security threat and a personal security threat.
SECURITY FEARS
TikTok CEO Shou Chew has strongly denied any claims the app acts as an agent of Beijing.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the app temporarily went dark, which left influencers in despair.
Mock funerals were held in New York City as Americans mourned the apparent demise of the social media network, which surged in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Users were left in tears when they encountered a message saying the app was no longer available in the US.
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,” it said.
“Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned.”
Chew was among the tech leaders at Trump’s inauguration.
He was sat next to Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.
Chew was seated next to Meta mogul Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos.
