Trump and Vance Weigh TikTok Offer as U.S. Deadline Looms

President Trump will meet Vice President JD Vance and advisers to discuss a TikTok offer as a ban deadline nears. The popular app faces shutdown in the U.S. over security concerns. This comes amid Trump’s evolving stance on the Chinese-owned platform.

Trump once pushed to ban TikTok citing data risks to American users. Now in his second term he’s open to a deal keeping it alive. The meeting set for early April 2025 aims to hash out terms with ByteDance.

The deadline stems from a 2024 law forcing TikTok’s sale or closure by mid-2025. Trump’s team reportedly sees value in its cultural reach. Vance a tech-savvy voice has urged a pragmatic fix over an outright ban.

National security hawks warn China could exploit TikTok for espionage. They’ve clashed with Trump’s shift since his 2024 campaign. Supporters say a U.S.-controlled version could neutralize threats while saving jobs.

TikTok boasts over 170 million U.S. users many young voters Trump courts. His campaign used the app heavily to win in 2024. Advisers argue axing it now risks alienating that base ahead of midterms.

ByteDance has floated selling a stake to American firms like Oracle. Negotiations stalled under Biden but revived post-inauguration. The Trump-Vance talks could seal a deal or trigger a final ban if terms falter.

Critics from the left call it a flip-flop driven by political gain not principle. They fear coziness with tech giants undercuts regulation. Conservatives split with some backing Trump’s pivot as a win for innovation.

The outcome will shape social media’s role in Trump’s America by 2026. It tests his dealmaking image against security pledges. Users await word as the app’s fate hangs on this high-stakes huddle.