White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called TikTok's threat to “go dark” tomorrow a “stunt” and said there is no reason TikTok or any other company should take action under the ban before for the Trump administration to be sworn in Monday morning. , several media outlets report.
“It's a stunt and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take action in the coming days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday.” MSNBC quotes Jean-Pierre saying. “We have stated our position clearly and directly: the actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration. Therefore, TikTok and other companies should address any concerns with them.”
The statement comes a day after TikTok threatened to pull the plug if the Biden administration does not provide assurances that companies like Apple and Google will not be held liable for defying the ban, which the Supreme Court upheld yesterday. The company's CEO Shou Chew also appealed to Donald Trump, saying the company is “grateful” for his support of the platform.
Trump said that “a 90-day extension is something that will probably be done” during an interview with Meet the press host Kristen Welker for NBC News. This came after it was reported earlier this week that the incoming president plans to issue an executive order on the matter.
Since the deadline for the ban expires before he is sworn in, it's unclear whether Trump can actually extend it. He can choose not to enforce the ban, as Biden says he will, but that still leaves Apple and Google to decide whether Trump's word is worth the legal risk that defying the ban would entail by leaving the app available for download.
