Trump Declares TikTok Security Concerns “Highly Overrated” as Ban Looms Unlikely
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed the national security and privacy concerns surrounding the immensely popular video-sharing platform TikTok as “highly overrated,” signaling his intention to continue extending the deadline for its potential shutdown until an American buyer is secured. This declaration marks a significant pivot from his administration’s prior hardline stance that initially led to a Congressional ban.
A Shift from Congressional Ban to Extended Deadlines
The U.S. Congress, citing grave national security and data privacy risks, had previously approved legislation that would effectively ban TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divested its controlling stake to an American entity. For years, concerns have centered on the potential for the Chinese government to access user data, influence content, or conduct surveillance through the app, which boasts over 150 million users in the United States.
Despite this legislative mandate, President Trump has now extended the divestiture deadline three times during his second term. The initial extension came swiftly on January 20, his first day in office, via an executive order that prevented a national ban from taking effect after it had been briefly implemented and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. A second reprieve was granted in April, following reports that the White House was nearing a deal to spin off TikTok into a new, U.S.-owned company. However, that agreement reportedly collapsed after China withdrew its support in response to a fresh round of tariff announcements from the Trump administration. The next crucial deadline is set for September 17.
Trump’s Rationale and Personal Endorsement
“We’re gonna watch the security concerns,” Trump told reporters, acknowledging the ongoing scrutiny. Yet, he emphasized, “We have buyers, American-buyers,” and stated that “until the complexity of things work out, we just extend a little bit longer.” His comments suggest a clear preference for a sale over an outright ban, indicating a pragmatic approach to the complex geopolitical and economic implications.
The administration’s softening stance is further highlighted by the White House’s recent move to establish its own official TikTok account this week, a surprising development given the previous push for a ban. The President also openly expressed his personal affinity for the platform, noting, “I used TikTok in the campaign,” and adding, “I’m a fan of TikTok. My kids like TikTok. Young people love TikTok. If we could keep it going.”
Public Opinion and Unchallenged Executive Action
As these extensions continue, the prospect of an imminent U.S. ban on TikTok appears increasingly unlikely. Unlike many of Trump’s other executive orders, the decision to continuously delay the ban through executive action has, so far, not faced a legal challenge in court, suggesting a broader acceptance or at least a lack of immediate legal opposition to his current strategy.
Public opinion on TikTok also reflects a growing division. A recent Pew Research Center survey, conducted in March 2025, revealed that approximately one-third of Americans now support a ban, a notable decrease from 50% in March 2023. Conversely, roughly one-third expressed opposition to a ban, with a similar proportion remaining unsure. Among those who do support a ban, a substantial 8 out of 10 cited user data security risks as a primary concern, reinforcing the core issue at the heart of the ongoing debate.
