The Biden administration is reportedly looking for ways to circumvent the potentially imminent ban on TikTok. “Americans shouldn’t expect to see TikTok suddenly banned on Sunday,” an administration official said per NBC News, noting that officials are “exploring options” to prevent the app from getting axed.
Given that Joe Biden only has a few days remaining in office before Donald Trump gets sworn in, and that the ban is slated for January 19, users are poking fun at the situation. Here's how one user reacted, for example:
"Do they know they have 30 minutes."
Others could not help but point out that President Biden was the one who signed the bill in the first place:
"Bruh you signed the bill," one user stated.
"after saying you would sign a bill to ban tiktok mhmm," another echoed.
"STOP PLAYING WITH OUR EMOTIONS," a third person begged.
"If he pulls this off, it’ll be the best last call of action by any president!" someone noted.
The comments didn't end there, as even more chimed in with their own takes on the situation:
"He is literally the one who signed the tiktok ban which has us where we are now lmao what a mess of a presidency," one user pointed out.
"HURRY IT UP," another demanded.
"HILARIOUS! What's yalls RedNote?" someone else jokingly asked.
"Hurry up Biden, the clock’s ticking!" yet another exclaimed.
Scores online were visibly upset over Biden being the one to sign the bill in the first place.
All we know about the potential ban on TikTok
Back in April 2024, President Biden signed the law that forces TikTok into a ban unless the owners, ByteDance, divested and sold the company within the year. Now, that deadline is slated to expire this Sunday.
However, the bylaws do allow the president to bequeath a 90-day extension for this window in case he sees that "significant progress" has been made to sell, NBC reports.
The ban on the Chinese-based platform stems from concerns that China may be mining data and spying on the nation via the app, though the platform has categorically refuted all such claims. Given that ByteDance has made no initiatives to sell so far, the national security concerns still stand strong.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. is one among many who moved to repeal the ban, NBC News has reported:
"I’m hopeful that President Biden will listen to the millions of voices who don’t want the lights to go out on this app,” Khanna said. “He has the power to extend the timeline to try to have a solution that prevents the app from shutting down.”
As for Donald Trump, while he initially voiced his support in favor of the ban, just last year, he vowed to try his best at "saving TikTok."
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