TikTok's Powerful New Friends

While it’s too early to predict what’s going to happen with TikTok, it’s beginning to look like ByteDance has successfully called the U.S.’s bluff. For months, ByteDance has refused to contemplate selling TikTok to avoid a ban. And now, days before the ban is due to take effect, politicians are caving in. 

Most notably, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer posted on Bluesky on Thursday that “more time is needed to find an American buyer for TikTok. We will continue working to keep TikTok alive.” Yeah, right—that was the problem all along: ByteDance didn’t have enough time to find a buyer, despite passage of the ban law way back in last April.