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Donald Trump's inauguration is becoming a highly anticipated event. Earlier this week, reports revealed that three of the largest tech figures, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, would be sitting by Trump as he gets sworn into office. Now, the CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, has revealed that he'll also be in attendance.
TikTok has been a topic of debate at Congress. Last year, a law was passed determining that the app would be banned in the US if ByteDance, its parent company, didn't sell the app to an American company. This didn't happen, and now, TikTok is expected to shut down completely this Sunday, January 19th.
The Washington Post reports that Trump has plans to save the app, with Chew's attendance representing a shift in Trump's stance in regards to the app and the security risks that it poses.
For the app to be rescued, Trump would have to issue an executive order as President, giving the app 30 to 60 days to continue to function in the US and figure out a solution.
How can TikTok be salvaged?
In the past, Trump has opposed TikTok. He now seems to have changed his mind, with him and his team figuring out ways to solve the issue while also addressing the security risks many accuse it of triggering.
"We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark," said U.S. Representative Mike Waltz to Fox News. "Essentially that buys President Trump time to keep TikTok going," he said.
Waltz is Trump's pick for his national security adviser.
Other members of Congress seem to agree, claiming that while there are security risks in the app that can't be ignored, it has become too important in the US to be disposed of so quickly.
"It's clear that more time is needed to find an American buyer and not disrupt the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans,” said Chuck Schumer this Thursday.
"I will work with the Trump administration and with both parties to keep TikTok alive while protecting our national security."