Donald Trump ‘likely to give TikTok a 90-day reprieve’ from US ban when he takes office

TIKTOK's 170 million US users might get a lifeline as Donald Trump said he may grant the app a 90-day reprieve from its looming ban.

The wildly popular platform is facing shutdown Sunday unless drastic measures are taken to address national security concerns tied to its Chinese ownership.

But Trump might offer some hope to the short video app once he is sworn in on Monday.

The president-elect has also hinted at a “political resolution” and even urged the Supreme Court last month to pause the ban’s implementation.

“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC in a Saturday interview.

“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has been walking a legal tightrope since a law passed last year required the app to sever ties with its parent company or shut down operations in the U.S.

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the ban on Friday, leaving the app’s future hanging by a thread.

The White House, meanwhile, dismissed TikTok’s Friday plea for assurances as a “stunt.”

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated Saturday that it’s up to the incoming Trump administration to act.

“We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” she said in a statement.

TikTok declined to comment on the new White House remarks, while the Chinese embassy in Washington called the ban an abuse of state power.

“China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” a spokesperson declared Friday.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is reportedly attending Trump’s inauguration Monday, sitting among high-profile guests.

Meanwhile, potential buyers, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, are circling the $50 billion-valued platform.

Media reports suggest Beijing has discussed selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk, though the company has denied those claims.

USERS SCRAMBLE AS BAN LOOMS

TikTokers and users are for now bracing for the worst, with farewell videos flooding the platform.

“Does anyone know if the TikTok ban goes into effect on Sunday or if we have all of Sunday to like brain rot still? I need to plan accordingly,” fitness influencer Britany Williams joked to her 64,000 followers.

Others are seeking alternatives, with apps like RedNote seeing a surge in downloads.

Rival platforms Meta and Snap are also capitalizing on the chaos, their stocks climbing as investors bet on an influx of users and ad revenue.

Marketing firms reliant on TikTok are scrambling, describing the past week as a “hair on fire” moment as they prepare contingency plans.