WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will likely grant another extension to the deadline for Chinese tech giant ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations of TikTok, citing the platform’s unexpected boost to his popularity among young voters during the 2024 election.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump responded with “Probably, yeah,” when asked whether he would delay the looming June 19 deadline. He added that while an extension may require formal approval from China, he was optimistic: “I think President Xi will ultimately approve it.”
The potential extension comes despite longstanding concerns among U.S. lawmakers and intelligence officials over national security risks posed by Chinese ownership of the app. However, TikTok’s impact on youth engagement — particularly its role in rallying younger voters to Trump’s campaign — appears to be influencing the president’s calculus.
Trump had previously hinted in May that an extension was on the table, further delaying a decision that has now stretched across two administrations.
ByteDance, meanwhile, continues to navigate a complicated legal and diplomatic landscape as it faces pressure from both Washington and Beijing.
This latest delay underscores how TikTok — once just a viral entertainment platform — has become a key player in global politics, privacy debates, and now, presidential strategy.