TikTok CEO Shou Chew has reportedly sought advice from Elon Musk about President-elect Trump’s upcoming second term, particularly regarding potential tech policies.
Musk endorsed Trump last summer and has maintained a close relationship with him, including staying at Mar-a-Lago and participating in high-level calls. Chew’s outreach reflects TikTok’s concerns as the app faces increasing scrutiny under U.S. law, FOX Business reported.
TikTok is suing the Biden administration over a new law that could ban the app unless its China-owned parent company, ByteDance, divests by January.
The law cites national security concerns, particularly regarding the Chinese government’s potential access to U.S. user data and influence over the platform. ByteDance executives also contacted Vice President Kamala Harris’ team to address their concerns before the election.
During his presidency, Trump attempted to ban TikTok via executive order but has since shifted his stance, suggesting that Congress should decide the app’s future.
Trump joined TikTok in June, saying in a video on his Truth Social platform: “Those who want to save TikTok in America, vote for Trump.”
“We’re not doing anything with TikTok,” Trump added.
Despite this, he has maintained that TikTok poses serious national security risks, leaving its fate under his administration uncertain. The ongoing legal battles and outreach efforts highlight TikTok’s struggle to navigate mounting regulatory pressures.
