China, in his words · First term · № 73
Declared Chinese-owned apps, TikTok in particular, a threat to US national security and the economy
“Specifically, the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People's Republic of China (China) continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. At this time, action must be taken to address the threat posed by one mobile application in particular, TikTok.”
- Said
- , Executive Order 13942, signed by Trump
- Subject
- TikTok
- Threat
- Economic and military
- Topic
- Foreign policy
- Era
- First term
What the record showed
On September 27, 2020 U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols halted the ban, writing that Trump likely exceeded his authority; another federal judge had paused the parallel WeChat ban, finding 'scant evidence' for the national security claims. President Biden revoked both orders on June 9, 2021. Trump joined TikTok in June 2024, saying 'It's my honor.' On January 20, 2025 he ordered the Justice Department not to enforce the 2024 divest-or-ban law for 75 days, then extended the delay three more times. On September 25, 2025 he approved a joint venture; CNBC reported in February 2026 that ByteDance retains a 19.9% stake in TikTok's U.S. operations.
Sources
- Executive Order 13942—Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok, and Taking Additional Steps To Address the National Emergency With Respect to the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain
- U.S. Judge Halts Trump's TikTok Ban, Hours Before It's Set To Start
- Executive Order on Protecting Americans' Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries
- Trump joins TikTok after previously trying to ban the app
- Executive Order 14166—Application of Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok
- Executive Order 14352—Saving TikTok While Protecting National Security
- Much ado about nothing? TikTok's U.S. usership steadies after turbulent start