a few weeks ago In an emergency Supreme Court session that could decide the fate of TikTok in the U.S., Donald Trump issued a legal brief Friday asking the high court to stop a bill that would ban the Chinese-owned social media app unless it goes on sale by January. . 19.
The filing did not address the legal claims of the law signed by President Biden, which addresses growing national security concerns in recent years. Instead, TikTok, which has 14.7 million followers, touts Trump as “one of the most powerful, prolific and influential social media users in history.” The president also echoed TikTok’s claims that the law unlawfully restricts the First Amendment.
The filing marks the latest chapter in President Trump’s changing views since he tried and failed to ban the popular app in 2020. After meeting with TikTok’s CEO earlier this month, Trump hinted that he would likely intervene before the law goes into effect. This is the “warm seat” of the platform. Last March, Trump experienced a similar twist following a meeting with Jeff Yass, a conservative hedge fund manager who owns a $33 billion stake in TikTok. All of this comes against the backdrop of Trump becoming increasingly cozy with some of tech’s most prominent billionaires.
Trump’s attorney and attorney general nominee, D. John Sauer, wrote on Friday: “President Trump takes no position on the fundamental merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requested that the court consider the merits of the case and stay the Act’s sale deadline of January 19, 2025, allowing President Trump’s incoming administration the opportunity to pursue a political solution to the contentious issue. I requested it. example.”
Whether the three conservative Supreme Court appointees nominated by Trump will see the president-elect’s ruling Whether these are mere recommendations or marching orders will soon be determined. As things stand, the federal ban will take effect next month. As my colleague Pema Levy reports, a day before Trump’s inauguration, an unprecedented era of political corruption will begin.
