DONALD Trump has downplayed fears that China is using TikTok to spy on Americans – just days after signing an executive order that delayed a ban on the social media app.
The president sat down with Fox News titan Sean Hannity and said the app is for children who watch crazy videos.
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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.
The tycoon, who is the first president to serve non consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland, seemed open to the possibility of Elon Musk buying the app.
Trump has developed a bromance with Musk after the Tesla chief endorsed him for the presidency last summer.
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 company that owns TikTok, is required to sell the platform or the app, which is used by 170 million Americans, will be banned in the US.
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.
“If you have TikTok on your phone currently, it can track your whereabouts, it can read your text messages, it can track your keystrokes,” Josh Hawley, a Republican senator from Missouri, said.
“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, Musk, and Jeff Bezos.
Trump’s interview with Hannity was the first sit-down the president has completed since trooping back into the White House.
In the wide-ranging sit down, he blasted his predecessor Joe Biden’s decision to issue pardons to his family.
Trump said it was “sad” that Biden didn’t pardon himself.
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