Trump hints at further delay in TikTok’s sale deadline

(Web Desk): US President Donald Trump has hinted at extending the ban on the short video-sharing app TikTok for the fourth time, stating that he is willing to further extend the deadline for TikTok's ownership transfer.

According to The New York Times, Donald Trump said during a talk at the White House Historical Association Museum that he has not yet spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the issue but will do so at the appropriate time. He clarified that, for now, he will extend the deadline slightly until matters are resolved, noting that buyers for TikTok are available.

TikTok must change its ownership under US law by mid-September, or it will face a ban. Previously, Trump had extended the TikTok deadline in January, April, and June of 2025, and now there are expectations that the deadline will be extended for the fourth time if the sale is not finalized by September 17.

Trump mentioned that American buyers are ready, but approval from China is still pending. The law banning TikTok was passed by the US Congress last year with overwhelming support, requiring TikTok to transfer ownership to American hands by January 2025.

According to the law, TikTok must separate from its Chinese ownership, as lawmakers and intelligence officials have raised concerns that the Chinese government could use the app to access sensitive data from American users or spread propaganda.

TikTok has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that it has implemented measures to protect user data.

TikTok has 170 million users in the US, making it a major social media platform, and the app is especially popular among American youth.