In the wild world of tech and politics, President Trump is keeping everyone on their toes with his latest TikTok saga. Despite congressional approval for a U.S. ban on the platform unless ByteDance sells its controlling stake, Trump seems more interested in playing a high-stakes game of digital chicken.

The Continuous Extension Game

Trump has already extended the TikTok shutdown deadline three times during his second term, with the next deadline looming on September 17th. His reasoning? A mix of national security concerns and a curious belief that the platform’s issues can be magically resolved with more time.

“We’re gonna watch the security concerns,” Trump told reporters, adding a classic Trump twist: “We have American buyers”.

Public Opinion Shifts

Interestingly, public sentiment around TikTok has been evolving. A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that support for a TikTok ban has dropped from 50% in March 2023 to about one-third of Americans currently. Data security remains the primary concern for those supporting a potential ban.

The Unexpected Twist

In a plot twist that feels quintessentially modern, the White House recently launched its own TikTok account. Trump himself admitted to using the platform during his campaign and proclaimed, “I’m a fan of TikTok. My kids like TikTok. Young people love TikTok”.

As the extensions continue, it seems less likely that TikTok will face an imminent ban in the United States. The ongoing political theatre continues, leaving tech enthusiasts and social media users watching and waiting.