Incoming President Donald Trump is anticipated to play a pivotal role in determining the fate of TikTok in the United States, with Congressman John Moolenaar, Chair of the House China Committee, expressing confidence in Trump's ability to secure a groundbreaking agreement. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on January 10, 2025, regarding the law mandating TikTok's divestment from foreign control, specifically its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, which has links to the Chinese Communist Party.

This legislation, enacted last spring, stipulates that ByteDance must sell TikTok by January 19. Failure to comply will result in the app's removal from Google and Apple app stores in the U.S. The Supreme Court's expedited hearing provides a tight timeframe for a decision, just nine days before the ban's effective date. However, the President has the authority to extend this deadline by up to 90 days if divestment is underway.

Moolenaar, in an exclusive interview, revealed ongoing discussions with key investors and expressed optimism that Trump will achieve a favorable outcome for the nation, referring to it as the "deal of the century." He suggested a phased approach, starting with a buyout followed by a potentially record-breaking IPO. Moolenaar believes Trump's negotiating prowess and the leverage provided by the TikTok legislation are key to this success.

He anticipates a swift sale of TikTok following the Supreme Court's ruling, with a significant IPO potentially following later. Moolenaar criticized ByteDance for perceived delays, asserting that adherence to U.S. law will expedite the process.

TikTok and ByteDance have challenged the law, claiming a First Amendment violation and seeking to block its enforcement. They argue that Congress is unfairly targeting them and infringing on their operation of a major speech platform. However, Moolenaar cautioned that without divestment, the Chinese Communist Party could leverage TikTok to manipulate public opinion and access American user data.

While TikTok implemented "Project Texas" to address national security concerns by isolating U.S. user data on Oracle servers within the country, Moolenaar contends that these measures are inadequate. He emphasized the need for an American or allied company to control the app, ensuring alignment with national security interests.

Despite the impending ban, Trump has shown a favorable disposition towards TikTok, meeting with CEO Shou Zi Chew and expressing a "warm spot" for the platform. He indicated his administration would review the situation and the potential ban.

Moolenaar believes Trump's experience and firm stance are crucial in dealing with the CCP, emphasizing the importance of the legislation in providing leverage for a historic deal. He asserts that only a divestment to a U.S. or allied entity will satisfy legal requirements and safeguard national security.