Trump to stop blackout of platform, top adviser says

US President-elect Donald Trump will find a way to save TikTok before a ban on the app takes effect this weekend, his incoming national security adviser has said.

Congressman Mike Waltz, R-Florida, said Trump would step in if the Supreme Court upholds a law that would ban the platform in the US if it is not sold by January 19.

In the last week, the Biden administration has also been looking for ways to prevent the sudden disappearance of TikTok, according to NBC News.

Chinese owner ByteDance said it plans to shut down the app for its 170 million US users by Sunday.

“We will take steps to ensure that TikTok does not go dark,” Waltz said Thursday.

He noted that the law allows for a 90-day extension for ByteDance if significant sales progress has been made.

“Essentially, this gives President Trump time to support TikTok,” Waltz said.

A day earlier, the new national security adviser hinted on Fox News that Trump plans to issue an executive order suspending the ban.

However, it is unclear whether such a measure could have circumvented the law passed by Congress.

The app was banned on national security grounds due to concerns that its data could be collected by the Chinese Communist Party.

But, according to the New York Times, Trump has invited TikTok CEO Show Ziche to attend his president’s inauguration next Monday, sitting in a prime spot on the podium.

Trump previously asked the Supreme Court to delay the ban – which would have taken effect the day before he is sworn in – so he could seek a “policy” solution.

Last year, Congress passed bipartisan legislation that gave TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, nine months to find a US-approved buyer or the platform would be banned in the United States.

The legislation does not ban use of the app, but requires tech giants such as Apple and Google to stop offering it and ban updates, which analysts believe will eventually stop it.

President Joe Biden signed the bill into law last April as part of an aid package for Ukraine and Israel.

But NBC News reports that Biden also considered ways to keep the app available if the ban goes into effect.

Under that plan, they would delay the issue, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke to NBC.

TikTok and ByteDance deny any connection to the Chinese government. They also ruled out selling.

Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments from TikTok and Bytedance against the law.

A decision is expected any day.

Both Biden and Trump have changed their positions on the platform.

Trump tried to ban the app during his first term as president, but on the campaign trail this year said he would defend it.