President Donald Trump has once again pushed back the deadline for TikTok’s forced sale or ban in the U.S., giving the app a fresh 90-day extension. That means TikTok can keep operating in the country until at least September 17, 2025.
This is now the third time Trump has delayed the deadline. While the original plan was to either sell TikTok to a U.S. company or ban it entirely due to national security concerns, it’s becoming clear that the situation is more complicated than expected.
Why Is This Happening?
There are a few big reasons behind the repeated delays.
First, TikTok is huge in the U.S. Over 170 million Americans use the app, and more than 7 million small businesses rely on it for advertising and sales. Even Trump himself has started using TikTok recently, especially to reach younger voters.
Second, despite concerns over user data possibly being accessed by China, TikTok insists it stores U.S. data outside of China and is working on safeguards. A rushed decision to ban the app could have major political and economic consequences.
And finally, there’s still no buyer. A few American companies have expressed interest—Amazon and Oracle among them—but nothing has been finalized. The ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China haven’t helped move the deal forward.
The Legal Grey Area
Here’s where things get messy. Under the new law passed earlier this year—called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act—the president can give TikTok one 90-day extension. Trump has now given three.
That’s raising eyebrows in Washington. Lawmakers from both parties, including Senators Mark Warner and Josh Hawley, are openly questioning whether Trump is overstepping his authority. Some say it’s time for Congress to step in if Trump won’t follow the law as written.
So far, no one has filed a lawsuit over these extensions, but legal experts are watching closely.
What’s Changed Since the Last Deadline?
Not a lot. There was talk of a possible deal in the spring, and reports suggested that ByteDance (TikTok’s Chinese parent company) might be willing to sell—if they got approval from Chinese regulators. But those talks stalled.
Trump also floated the idea of cutting tariffs on Chinese goods to help grease the wheels, but that hasn’t led to any breakthroughs either.
With no sale on the table and no legal resolution, we’re stuck in limbo again.
What It Means for TikTok Users
For now, TikTok isn’t going anywhere. If you’re a regular user or a business that depends on the app, this extension means you can keep posting, scrolling, and selling without interruption—at least until September.
But the uncertainty isn’t going away. If there’s no sale by the new deadline, and Trump doesn’t delay things again (or face legal pushback), TikTok could finally be forced out of the U.S.
What to Watch Next
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A buyer stepping up: Will a U.S. company come forward with an offer ByteDance and regulators can agree on?
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Congress taking action: Lawmakers might try to enforce the original law if Trump keeps extending deadlines.
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A possible court case: If someone challenges the legality of these repeated extensions, it could change everything.
Final Thoughts
This ongoing TikTok drama is no longer just about an app—it’s a tug-of-war between politics, business, and international relations. While Trump’s extensions keep the app alive for now, the clock is ticking. September 17 might finally force a decision. Or it could be just another delay in a saga that seems to have no end in sight.
