POLITICO Tech
What Trump can do about TikTok
Jan 20, 2025
Alan Rosenstein, a law professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and senior editor at Lawfare, dives into the complicated landscape surrounding TikTok as Donald Trump seeks to maneuver through a potential U.S. ban. The discussion reveals Trump’s limited options and the intertwining of TikTok's fate with broader U.S. foreign policy. Rosenstein highlights national security debates, the implications of a Supreme Court ruling, and the intriguing migration of users to the Chinese app Red Note amidst the ongoing controversies.
16:43
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- President Trump faces limited options to address TikTok's ban, balancing legal ramifications for companies like Apple and Oracle.
- The Supreme Court's unanimous ruling on TikTok underscores the importance of data privacy in national security assessments regarding foreign ownership.
Deep dives
Trump's Options for TikTok
President Trump has several options to address the existing ban on TikTok as he takes office. He can choose not to enforce the ban, but this would still leave companies like Apple and Oracle in a precarious legal position due to the substantial fines they risk under the ban. Alternatively, Trump could attempt to declare a divestment of TikTok from its Chinese owners, although such a move would be controversial and potentially illegal since no actual divestment has occurred. His administration may also explore delaying the ban if TikTok can demonstrate a genuine pursuit of a sale, which complicates the situation further for all parties involved.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
