Honestly, the drama around TikTok is enough to give anyone digital whiplash. One minute we're hearing about a total shutdown, and the next, everyone is scrolling through their FYP like nothing happened. If you’ve been trying to keep up with why Trump wants TikTok banned—or why he suddenly didn't—you’re not alone. It’s a messy mix of geopolitics, billionaire donor moves, and the kind of "art of the deal" maneuvering that defines the current administration.
Basically, we’re living through a weird historical loop. Back in 2020, Trump was the one leading the charge to kick TikTok out of the U.S. fast. Then, fast forward to 2024 and 2025, and he’s the guy signing executive orders to keep it alive. It's confusing. But if you look under the hood, the situation is less about a "ban" and more about who actually owns the data.
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The 2025 Plot Twist: Why TikTok is Still on Your Phone
You probably remember the big headlines from early 2024. Congress passed a law—the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act—that basically said ByteDance had to sell TikTok or get booted from U.S. app stores by January 19, 2025. President Biden signed it, the Supreme Court upheld it, and for a second there, it looked like the lights were going out.
Then January 20, 2025, happened.
On his first day back in office, Trump did exactly what he promised on the campaign trail: he hit the pause button. He issued an executive order (EO 14166) that told the Department of Justice to hold off on enforcing the ban for 75 days. Then he did it again in April. And June. And September.
The Reality Check: While the law says TikTok is "banned," the President has used his executive authority to delay enforcement while a deal is cooked up. It's not a reprieve; it's a transformation.
The "New" TikTok: Enter TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC
So, if it’s not being banned, what’s actually happening? Trump’s latest move, finalized in late 2025, isn't a ban—it's a massive corporate restructuring. The "ban" was the leverage used to force a sale.
The deal that’s currently closing (expected by January 22, 2026) creates a new entity called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. Here is the breakdown of how this "saved" version works:
- U.S. Ownership: American investors like Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX are taking the lead.
- The 20% Rule: ByteDance—the Chinese parent company—will reportedly keep less than 20% of the stock. This is the magic number required by U.S. law to say a company isn't "controlled" by a foreign adversary.
- The Algorithm Lease: This is the controversial part. Instead of selling the "secret sauce" algorithm, ByteDance is reportedly leasing it to the U.S. venture.
- Data Fort Knox: Oracle is acting as the "trusted technology partner." Every bit of U.S. user data is supposed to stay on U.S. soil, monitored by people with high-level security clearances.
Why the sudden change of heart?
You might be wondering why the guy who wanted it gone in 2020 is now its biggest protector. It’s not just because he likes the filters.
First off, there’s the Meta factor. Trump has been very vocal about not wanting to help Facebook (Meta). In his view, banning TikTok just hands more power to Mark Zuckerberg, whom he’s... let's say, not a fan of. Keeping TikTok alive keeps the competition stiff.
Then there’s the money. We can't ignore the influence of big-time donors like Jeffrey Yass. Yass is a billionaire investor whose firm, Susquehanna International Group, owns a massive stake in ByteDance. Reports show Yass funneled millions into pro-Trump PACs just as the "save TikTok" rhetoric started heating up. It’s a classic Washington story: policy follows the capital.
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What this actually means for you (The User)
If you're a creator or just someone who likes watching cooking videos at 2 AM, the "ban" threat is mostly a ghost story for now.
- App Updates: You’ll keep getting them. Because Trump delayed the enforcement, Apple and Google haven't been forced to pull the app from their stores.
- TikTok Shop: This is actually growing. The new "TikTok America" structure is leaning heavily into e-commerce.
- Privacy: This is the big "maybe." The government says your data is safer now because it’s on Oracle servers. Skeptics say as long as the algorithm is leased from China, the influence is still there.
The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
We aren't out of the woods yet. Even though the deal is set to close this month, Congress is already grumbling. Some lawmakers think the "Algorithm Lease" is a loophole that lets China keep its thumb on the scale.
Actionable Insights for You:
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- Backup Your Content: Regardless of the "deal," it's smart to use tools to download your videos without watermarks. Don't let your digital history sit on just one platform.
- Diversify Your Reach: If you’re a business, start building your presence on YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels. The "Trump saves TikTok" era is stable for now, but in tech, "now" only lasts until the next executive order.
- Check Your Permissions: Take five minutes to look at your TikTok privacy settings. Even with U.S. servers, you’re still sharing a lot of data.
The bottom line? TikTok isn't going anywhere today, but it’s definitely putting on a suit and moving its headquarters to America.
Next Steps:
To protect your digital presence, you should immediately set up a "Download Your Data" request within the TikTok app settings. This provides you with a full archive of your activity and connections. Additionally, if you are a creator, you should cross-post your top-performing 5 videos to a secondary platform this week to ensure your audience can find you if the regulatory landscape shifts again.