TikTok, the wildly popular video app, has been facing the threat of being banned in the U.S. not once, but now a third time.

The deadline is looming on June 19, and President Donald Trump is stepping in to keep the app alive — at least for a little while longer.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump is expected to sign yet another executive order to delay the enforcement of a law that would either ban TikTok or force its sale to American owners.

The Stakes Behind the Extension

This marks the third extension Trump has granted since taking office on January 20th.

It’s more than just about the app—it’s tied into bigger trade negotiations happening behind the scenes.

Trump’s team, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, are heading to London to meet with Chinese officials.

This meeting comes at a time when Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are trying to mend frayed trade talks, following a phone call between the two leaders just days ago.

What Happened with the TikTok Deal?

Earlier in the year, there was a serious push for a deal that would let American investors take control of TikTok.

However, the trade tensions between the U.S. and China threw a wrench in those plans.

To keep the app running, Trump signed an executive order on April 4th granting a 75-day extension.

“My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days.”

Who Wants a Piece of TikTok?

Several big American companies have expressed interest in acquiring a stake in TikTok.

Names like Amazon, Walmart, and Oracle have been mentioned as potential buyers.

The app is no small player—it boasts a staggering 135.79 million users in the U.S., making America its largest audience base.

On top of that, TikTok has grown into a powerful online marketplace, raking in millions in daily sales.

The National Security Concerns

Congress passed the TikTok ban in 2024 with strong bipartisan support.

Lawmakers have serious worries about national security because TikTok is owned by China’s ByteDance.

The fear is that China could use the app to collect data on American users.

TikTok fought back, even taking the fight to the Supreme Court, arguing that banning the app violated free speech rights.

But the court upheld the ban early in 2025.

The App’s Temporary Shutdown and Trump’s Role

In January, just before Trump’s inauguration, ByteDance didn’t agree to the proposed terms with U.S. companies, causing TikTok to go dark for a few hours on January 19th.

However, Trump has been working hard to keep the platform available in the U.S.

After his inauguration, he delayed the ban’s implementation and has since extended that delay twice—now preparing for the third extension.

Why Does Trump Care?

For Trump, TikTok isn’t just a business issue—it’s political.

The app is a major way to reach younger voters, and he’s been vocal about wanting to keep it.

“We’ll probably have to get China’s approval. China’s never easy,” Trump said recently.

“I’d like to save TikTok. I mean, TikTok was very good to me.”

What’s Next for TikTok?

With the latest extension in the works, the big question is what happens after June 19.

Will the U.S. and China finally reach a deal?

Will an American company take control?

Or will TikTok face its third shutdown?

The next few weeks will be crucial for one of America’s most influential social media platforms.