TikTok CEO to Attend Trump’s Inauguration Amid Legal Turmoil
In a surprising turn of events, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, sources close to the matter have confirmed. This development, first reported by The New York Times, comes at a crucial juncture for the popular video-sharing platform, which faces significant legal challenges in the United States.
Chew’s presence at the inauguration is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing controversy surrounding TikTok’s operations in the US. The guest list for the event includes other tech industry heavyweights such as Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, underscoring the importance of the occasion for Silicon Valley’s elite.
TikTok has remained tight-lipped about Chew’s attendance, declining to comment on the matter when approached by reporters.
The company’s future in the US hangs in the balance as it grapples with a recently passed divest-or-ban law that threatens to shut down its operations just one day before the inauguration. TikTok’s legal team has been working tirelessly to prevent this outcome, but their efforts have met with limited success. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recently rejected TikTok’s appeal against the law, prompting the company to seek an emergency injunction from the Supreme Court.
In an unexpected twist, former President Trump, who had previously advocated for a TikTok ban during his tenure, has now emerged as an unlikely ally for the embattled platform. On December 27, Trump filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, urging a delay in TikTok’s divestment deadline. This move followed a meeting between Trump and Chew at Mar-a-Lago, where the former president reportedly expressed a favorable view of the app.
Trump’s recent actions suggest a shift in his stance towards TikTok, potentially paving the way for a political resolution to the company’s US operations. As the inauguration approaches, all eyes will be on Chew and Trump, watching for any signs of a breakthrough in this high-stakes technological and political drama.
