Third Time’s the Charm? Trump to Extend TikTok Sale Deadline Again

President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order this week extending the deadline for TikTok’s Chinese parent company to divest the popular video-sharing app, marking the third such extension.

The move comes after a previous 75-day reprieve granted in April, which aimed to keep TikTok operational in the U.S. while a potential sale to American buyers was negotiated.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the new 90-day extension on Tuesday, emphasizing Trump’s commitment to keeping TikTok accessible to Americans while ensuring user data remains secure. “President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” Leavitt stated, adding that the administration will use the additional time to finalize a deal that satisfies national security concerns.

Speaking aboard Air Force One after the G7 summit in Canada, Trump indicated he would “probably” extend the deadline, expressing optimism that Chinese President Xi Jinping would ultimately approve the divestment deal. “I think President Xi will ultimately approve it,” Trump said, suggesting that Chinese cooperation remains a key factor in the process.

This latest extension highlights the continued challenges facing the negotiations, which remain bogged down by geopolitical tensions and regulatory obstacles. Concerns over TikTok’s data handling and connections to China — raised during the Trump administration — have fueled ongoing efforts to shift ownership to a U.S.-based company. By issuing a third extension, the administration signals its aim to finding a resolution while also recognizing the app’s popularity among U.S. users.