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Washington, D.C. — The White House has officially launched a TikTok account, just weeks before a critical deadline that could see the popular social media platform banned in the United States unless it is sold to a non-Chinese owner.
The move comes amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S., following the passage of a 2024 law requiring the app’s parent company, ByteDance—headquartered in Beijing—to divest its ownership or face a nationwide ban. The deadline for compliance has been extended three times, with the current cutoff set for September 17.
The White House account’s debut video features President Donald Trump stating, “Every day, I wake up determined to deliver a better life for the people all across this nation. I am your voice.” The video does not reference the pending ban or the legal dispute surrounding TikTok’s ownership.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to comment on the upcoming deadline, but emphasized the administration’s intent to reach broad audiences. “The Trump administration is committed to communicating the historic successes President Trump has delivered to the American people with as many audiences and platforms as possible,” she said.
Background on the TikTok Ban
Concerns over TikTok’s data privacy practices and its ties to the Chinese government have persisted since 2020, when the Trump administration first proposed restrictions on the app. Critics have argued that ByteDance could be compelled by Chinese authorities to share data from U.S. users, posing a national security risk.
In response, Congress passed legislation in 2024 mandating that ByteDance either sell TikTok to an American company or face a ban. The app was briefly unavailable in the U.S. on January 19, the original deadline, but service was restored following a temporary extension.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reiterated last month that TikTok would be banned unless China’s government approved its sale. ByteDance has consistently refused to divest the platform.
Failed Acquisition Talks and Legislative Alternatives
A consortium led by U.S. investment firm Blackstone, along with existing ByteDance investors Susquehanna International and General Atlantic, had reportedly pursued an 80% stake in TikTok. However, Blackstone exited the negotiations in July, casting doubt on the viability of a sale.
Meanwhile, legislative efforts to find a compromise continue. Earlier this month, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced a draft bill that would allow TikTok to remain operational in the U.S. if it agreed to stricter transparency measures regarding content moderation and committed to keeping U.S. user data out of China.
TikTok’s U.S. Footprint
TikTok remains one of the most widely used social media platforms in the United States, with an estimated 170 million users. ByteDance, its parent company, was valued at approximately $315 billion as of March 2025.
While the White House’s decision to join TikTok may be viewed as a strategic move to engage younger audiences, it also underscores the complex political and legal landscape surrounding the platform’s future in the country.
As the September deadline approaches, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain—caught between geopolitical tensions, regulatory demands, and the platform’s massive domestic user base.
