Trump Could Make Surprising Tech Announcement Any Day

I want to show you a free demonstration. Of one of the most incredible technologies you've ever seen. You'll be getting a peek at the cutting edge... A decade from now, you'll remember where you were when you saw this video.

From backing a ban to being hailed as a savior: Inside Trump's TikTok shift

JILL COLVIN and BARBARA ORTUTAY
January 19, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) -- During his first term as president, Donald Trump led the effort to ban TikTok, the hugely popular video-sharing site he said posed a threat to U.S. national security. But on the eve of his return to the White House, the president-elect is being hailed as the app's savior.

After going dark for users this weekend, Trump said on his social media site that he would issue an executive order after he's sworn in for a second term on Monday delaying a TikTok ban "so that we can make a deal to protect our national security." He said the order would make clear that companies will not be held liable for violating a law that aimed to force TikTok's sale by its China-based parent company. Hours later, the app returned, to the relief of its legions of dedicated users.

"Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!" read the announcement.

Trump's legal authority to unilaterally decide not to enforce the law, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in April and was upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday, is unclear. But the rapid developments over the weekend served as a reminder of how dramatically debates over technology, social media and national security have changed since Trump was last in the White House. It also signaled how closely Trump is following those shifts after waging a successful campaign in which he made inroads with voters in part by harnessing the appeal of some social media platforms.

Trump can now take credit for reviving an app with 170 million users that is especially popular with younger Americans, many of whom spend hours a day on the platform to get news, make money and find entertainment.

"This is one of those things where the domestic politics has become so upside down and crazy that it turns out there's only upside for Trump now," said Bill Bishop, a China expert who has been closely following the back-and-forth. If the bans ends up being enforced, he said, Trump will say it was on outgoing President Joe Biden's watch. "And if it does come back then Trump is a savior. And he will be rewarded both by users" as well as the company, which he said is now "beholden to Trump" and will have an incentive to make sure content on the platform is favorable to him.

TikTok's move comes as tech companies and CEOs have been been working furiously to improve their standing with Trump. X owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has enjoyed unprecedented access to the president-elect after spending more than $200 million and personally campaigning to help him get elected.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and reshaped his social media platforms' policies to align more closely with Trump's worldview earlier this month, ending third-party fact-checking, loosening rules against hate speech, ending his company's diversity and equity policies and naming Dana White, the president and CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship and a familiar figure in Trump's orbit, to its board.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Amazon, Meta and Google have all pledged to donate $1 million each to Trump's inaugural fund.

The companies have a lot on the line, including regulatory challenges. Although federal regulators began cracking down on Google and Facebook during Trump's first term as president -- and flourished under Biden -- most experts expect his second administration to ease up on antitrust enforcement and be more receptive to business mergers.

TikTok also worked to curry Trump's favor, with CEO Shou Chew meeting with him at Mar-a-Lago in December. In a video responding to the Supreme Court decision, Chew was careful to praise Trump and cast the app's fate as dependent on him.

"On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States," he said. "We are grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform."

When the app went dark, it had initially posted a simple message informing users of the change, but later updated the language to include Trump.

"Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now," it read. "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. 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!"

The federal law had required TikTok parent company ByteDance to cut ties with the platform's U.S. operations by Sunday. The Biden administration had stressed in recent days that it did not intend to enforce the ban before Trump took office. But TikTok said it would nonetheless "go dark" because the Biden administration had not provided "necessary clarity and assurance" to service providers -- a stance outgoing Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer cast as disingenuous.

"Frankly, it doesn't feel completely on the level," he said on ABC's "This Week." "I think we were extremely clear that there was no need to take this action," he said.

Trump said in an interview with NBC News on Saturday that he was considering granting ByteDance a 90-day extension to sell. ByteDance has repeatedly refused to sell, but the company is being eyed by investors including Trump's former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire businessman Frank McCourt.

Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell University's Tech Policy Institute, said there was no evidence ByteDance had made any meaningful progress toward divestiture, "so I don't see how, by any measure, it would legally meet those conditions."

"Further, an Executive Order cannot legally override or cancel a law that Congress passed," she said. "Laws enacted through the legislative process have a higher legal standing and an EO that conflicts with the existing law, the law takes precedence and the EO would likely be struck down by the courts."

Sen. Tom Cotton, the Republican chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, warned Sunday that there is no legal basis for the kind of extension Trump is pursuing.

"Any company that hosts, distributes, services, or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face hundreds of billions of dollars of ruinous liability under the law, not just from DOJ, but also under securities law, shareholder lawsuits, and state AGs," he wrote on X. "Think about it."

Trump, in his Sunday post, proposed new terms of a deal in which he said the United States would have "a 50% ownership position in a joint venture" that would be "set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose." But the details remained murky and it was unclear whether Trump was proposing control by the U.S. government or another company. Trump did not elaborate during a rally Sunday night, where he hailed the move.

"As of today, TikTok is back," he said. "We have no choice. We have to save it."

Though Trump sought to ban TikTok during his first term, he reversed that stance during his 2024 campaign, when he came to believe a ban would help the app's rival, Facebook, which he held responsible, in part, to his 2020 election loss to Biden.

Trump ended up joining the app last year and has grown his following to nearly 15 million users. He has since credited the app for helping him win over young voters.

"I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok," he said during a December news conference. "TikTok had an impact."

___

Ortutay reported from Oakland, California. Associated Press writers Charlotte Kramon and Nadia Lathan contributed to this report.

Continue Reading...

Popular

Nvidia faces a reckoning as an upstart rival raises questions about Wall Street's darling

NEW YORK (AP) — The superstar run for Nvidia’s stock the last few years has been astonishing. So was its tumble Monday, which caused $595 billion in wealth to vanish. That’s about as much as PepsiCo, McDonalds, Starbucks and Target are worth, combined.

What to know about Trump's buyout proposal for federal employees

President Donald Trump's administration is offering to federal employees to quickly reduce the government workforce. They don't have a long time to decide: The deadline is Feb. 6.

Critical Metals: The Linchpin of the Energy Transition - Ad

As EVs and AI take center stage, critical metals like copper, nickel, and PGMs are becoming the linchpin of clean energy and technological advances. One Canadian company's high-grade polymetallic discovery in Quebec is drawing comparisons to Russia's Norilsk Mine--one of the richest deposits globally. Backed by industry titans, this story is just beginning.

Trump's Commerce Secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, vows to sell his business interests in 90 days

WASHINGTON (AP) — Billionaire financier Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump's choice to lead the Commerce Department, said Wednesday that he would sell all of his business holdings within 90 days.

Love or Hate Him -- You Have To See What Elon Could Do Next - Ad

It's not electric vehicles, green energy or space travel that Elon Musk will be remembered for.

China's factory activity contracts in January for the first time in 4 months

HONG KONG (AP) — Manufacturing slowed in China in January for the first time in four months as workers began leaving assembly lines to travel to their hometowns for Lunar New Year holidays.

Edmunds' hybrid SUV test: 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vs 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Hybrids are hot right now, and you have lots of choices if you’re considering a hybrid SUV. For years, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has been the go-to model for hybrid SUV shoppers.

Trump Could Make Surprising Tech Announcement Any Day - Ad

Elon Musk is heavily invested in a cutting-edge new technology. In fact, Musk has turned the new president on to this breakthrough. And President Trump could make an announcement any day that could spike the price of stocks in this sector.

6 Clean Energy Stocks Face Challenges, Opportunities Ahead Of Earnings

Analyst revises ratings/price forecast on clean energy stocks ahead of earnings release. Highlights key areas to watch for each company.

Did DeepSeek copy ChatGPT? Trump adviser thinks so

Did the upstart copy ChatGPT to make the artificial intelligence technology that this week?

Why President Trump Is Vital to the 2025 AI Blueprint - Ad

Trump's return to the White House coincides with AI's -- and Nvidia's -- continued boom. That's why the President is crucial to Michael Robinson's 2025 AI Blueprint. Michael is a 40-year veteran of Silicon Valley has an AI Blueprint featuring three companies working with Nvidia who could be poised to benefit now that Trump is back in the White House.

UK Treasury chief backs third runway at London's Heathrow Airport

LONDON (AP) — The U.K. government is backing the construction of a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport, Treasury chief Rachel Reeves said Wednesday.

Elon Musk Is 'Kind Of Glad' Many Didn't Pick Up A Tesla FSD Subscription: Here's Why

Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday that the company will likely have to update hardware for customers whose vehicles are equipped with an older version of the AI hardware called Hardware 3, for it to achieve fully unsupervised autonomous driving with full self-driving (FSD) driver assistance software.

Crypto Stocks Are Heating Up - Ad

At the center of this transformation is a game-changing platform that's experiencing explosive growth with $41 million in revenue in just nine months. The stock has doubled in the last 45 days, but this is only the beginning.

Senate confirms Zeldin to lead Environmental Protection Agency as Trump vows to cut climate rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday confirmed Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a key role to help President Donald Trump fulfill his pledge to roll back major environmental regulations, including those aimed at slowing climate change and encouraging use of electric vehicles.

The Closest Thing to 'Push Button' Investing - Ad

You buy when these 'windows' open -- and sell when they close... Yes, it's that easy. It doesn't matter if you're just starting out, or if you've been investing for decades... This brain-dead simple trading strategy is designed to deliver triple-digit gains - WITHOUT tying your money up for years on end.

F5 Sees Big Wins in Multi-Cloud, AI Security, and IT Refresh, Analysts Forecast More Upside

F5 Inc (NASDAQ: FFIV) reported strong Q1 results, beating revenue and EPS estimates. The stock gained as analysts raised price targets and expectations for further growth from IT budgets, data center refresh, and AI demand.

Live Demo: New Tech to Surpass AI? - Ad

I want to show you a free demonstration. Of one of the most incredible technologies you've ever seen. You'll be getting a peek at the cutting edge... A decade from now, you'll remember where you were when you saw this video.

Gary Black Calls Tesla's Austin Robotaxi Launch By June 'Most Bullish' Takeaway, But Wants Answers On Auto Margins And Next-Gen EV

Tesla Inc. bull Gary Black highlighted the company's planned autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin as a significant development while expressing concerns about automotive margins and the forthcoming affordable electric vehicle's design.

US cyber agency's future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administration

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s cybersecurity agency has played in helping states shore up the defenses of their voting systems, but its election mission appears uncertain amid sustained criticism from Republicans and key figures in the Trump administration.

Consistent Profits Every Day - Ad

LitePips EA delivers steady profits with no risky strategies like Grid, Arbitrage, Scalping or Hedge. Enjoy stable trading with fixed Stop Loss and Take Profit, over 62% WinRate, DrawDown below 32% and 100%+ annual returns. Not forget about tools like spread filters, slippage protection, and equity safeguards, it's the perfect choice for XAUUSD H1 traders.

MrBeast And Group Of Investors, Including Roblox CEO, Lock In Over $20 Billion For TikTok Takeover

A group of American investors, including YouTube star MrBeast and Roblox CEO David Baszucki, has secured over $20 billion for a potential TikTok takeover, but ByteDance has yet to respond to their bid.

Spain's leader wants the EU to 'make social media great again.' Here's how

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister is launching a crusade against what he sees as the downsides of .

Legendary Tech Investor: "Forget Nvidia, Buy This Instead" - Ad

In February 2016, Jeff Brown picked Nvidia as one of his favorite stocks. Since then, shares have jumped enough to turn $1,000 into more than $230,000. If you missed out on those massive gains...

Fartcoin Loses Shine Against SHIB, DOGE, Plunges 50% In 7 Days: Is This A Prime Buying Opportunity?

Fartcoin (CRYPTO: FARTCOIN) has dropped significantly from highs set one week ago, but traders on social media remain adamant about the meme coin’s future prospects.

Elon Musk's Tesla Records $600 Million In Paper Gains On Bitcoin In Q4 Thanks To New Accounting Rule

Electric vehicle behemoth Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) reported an unrealized gain of $600 million on its cryptocurrency holdings in the fourth quarter.

"Trump Coins:" the Next Big Thing - Ad

Have you heard of "Trump Coins?" Even though these coins are associated with or endorsed by President Trump... Tech legend Jeff Brown believes his policies will help send these coins higher than anyone can imagine in 2025.

3 coup-hit West African nations formally leave ECOWAS in an unprecedented disintegration

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, the body said Wednesday, the culmination of a yearlong process during which the group tried to avert its unprecedented disintegration.

How DeepSeek's Breakthrough Is Changing The Landscape For Multi-Industrials

BofA Securities analyst Andrew Obin sees potential growth for multi-industrial stocks like Vertiv Holdings and Eaton Corporation amid the rise of more efficient AI technologies.

More AI Patents Than Nvidia, OpenAI and Tesla Combined? - Ad

Most people have no idea this company exists. That's because it's on the inside of your smartphone, your computer, and everything else... 99% of Americans don't even know its name. Billionaires have been buying this $50 AI stock hand over fist...

Everyone aboard an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter is feared dead

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, officials said Thursday.

Is This Defi Coin Your Next "10-Bagger" Investment? - Ad

Our #1 pick in decentralized finance is largely overlooked by mainstream investors (for now). This governance token could skyrocket as DeFi adoption surges with the smart money and institutions.

Meat and greet: Historic London market counting down the years

LONDON (AP) — Norman Gregory is an institution within an institution. He’s been working at the historic Smithfield wholesale meat market in central London since 1961, witnessing first hand the rapid transformation of the capital over the decades.

Robert Kiyosaki Predicts Yet Another Stock Market Crash, Pitches Bitcoin Investments -- Here's What The 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Author Said

Renowned investor and author Robert Kiyosaki on Monday predicted a major stock market crash in February and advised investors to focus on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), gold, and silver.

Struggling to Get By? This Could Be a Godsend - Ad

If you knew with 90% certainty, Amazon was about to tack on 22.5% to its share price... AND you also knew exactly when that climb would start and end... how much money do you think you'd be able to rake in? $1,000... $5,000... $25,000... Maybe even more? If you'll give me 5 minutes... I'd like to help you answer that question.

Elizabeth Warren To Elon Musk: Cut Unnecessary Federal Cannabis Enforcement And Save Billions

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a detailed letter to Elon Musk, chair of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with numerous suggestions for slashing federal spending.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright traderelite.club
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service