Trump Signs Order Allowing TikTok Deal to Proceed

Trump Signs Order Allowing TikTok Deal to Proceed

Washington, D.C. September 25, 2025 President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order certifying that a proposed divestiture agreement for TikTok’s U.S. operations satisfies national security law requirements, clearing the way for the deal to move forward and delaying enforcement of a ban for 120 days. Reuters+5Axios+5The White House+5

What the Order Does

• The executive order determines that the negotiated deal meets the criteria of a “qualified divestiture” under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA). The White House+2Reuters+2

• It grants TikTok and its negotiating parties 120 additional days to finalize and implement the transaction without triggering a forced ban. Reuters+4Axios+4The White House+4

• The new structure would see TikTok’s U.S. business controlled by American investors, with ByteDance (its Chinese parent) retaining less than 20% and being excluded from security-sensitive decision-making. The Guardian+4AP News+4The White House+4

• As part of the deal, the U.S. version of TikTok would operate with safeguards: data of American users stored in the U.S., algorithm control shifted to U.S. “trusted security partners,” and restricted “operational relationships” with ByteDance. Reuters+3The White House+3The Guardian+3

Why It Matters

• This is the long-anticipated pivot from a ban-or-bust approach to allowing a pathway for TikTok to remain operational in the U.S., under a restructured ownership model. Reuters+3Axios+3The Washington Post+3

• The order slows down enforcement of the 2024 law requiring TikTok's divestiture by making the divestiture option the legally recognized route forward. AP News+3The White House+3Reuters+3

• For TikTok users, creators, and advertisers, the app’s fate now hinges on the smooth completion of the deal, and approval by Chinese regulators. AP News+3Politico+3The Guardian+3

• The order potentially reshapes how the U.S. regulates digital platforms tied to foreign ownership, setting a precedent for future technology and national security debates.

Reaction & Criticism

• Supporters view the move as pragmatic, preserving the app, protecting U.S. economic interests tied to creators/platforms, and addressing national security by shifting control to domestic entities.

• Detractors warn that ByteDance’s remaining stake and influence might still allow China indirect leverage. They express concern over whether the safeguards will be enforceable and transparent.

• Some lawmakers, including from both parties, intend to scrutinize the details to ensure the deal truly severs foreign control rather than creating a de facto backdoor.

• Questions remain whether China will approve the divestiture framework, and whether technical and logistical issues, such as algorithm retraining and data migration, can be executed in the 120-day window.

Centrist Take: A Compromise, With Risks

From a moderate perspective, this order represents a compromise, far from a clean ban or a free pass. It balances the desire to protect national security while avoiding the disruption of a full shutdown of a widely used platform.

However, key risks remain: transparency, compliance, effective enforcement, and ensuring that U.S. users and creators retain confidence that the platform is independent from foreign influence. The coming months will show whether this executive path was wise or too optimistic.