The House is planning to vote on a bill that might lead to the ban of TikTok, despite opposition from Trump

Congress is about to vote on a bill that could ban TikTok nationwide! This would be a huge blow to the super popular app used by millions of Americans. The reason? Lawmakers are worried that China, through TikTok’s parent company, could access our data. They’re saying it’s a national security risk! The bill basically says that TikTok can only stay if it completely cuts ties with its Chinese owner.

This version uses more informal language (“Congress” instead of “The House,” “super popular” instead of “major challenge”), and explains the situation in a way that’s easier to understand. It also adds a touch of drama to make it more engaging.

Things are getting complicated for the vote on banning TikTok. Even though lawmakers from both parties seem to agree, there are some unexpected twists.

First, there’s Trump. Remember how he wanted TikTok banned before? Now he’s changed his mind, maybe because he worries it would help Facebook, which he still dislikes.

Then there are young Democrats who love using TikTok. They’re putting pressure on lawmakers not to ban it. No surprise, TikTok itself is fighting back hard. They say the bill is basically a ban and hurts people’s free speech. They’re even asking users to call their representatives to stop it, and apparently, a lot of people are listening!

The bill gives the Chinese company that owns TikTok a few months to sell the app. If they don’t, it gets pulled from app stores. Interestingly, both parties agreed on this bill in a rare moment of cooperation. Even the President is likely to sign it if it passes the House.

One thing’s for sure, this vote might make some Republicans nervous with Trump against it

TikTok ban Trump pushes back on potential

When Trump was president, he voiced support for banning the app, but it seems he has since changed his mind, although his statements have sometimes been unclear. Recently, in a post on Truth Social, Trump opposed a ban on TikTok. He argued that removing TikTok would only benefit Facebook, while also criticizing Facebook and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg as an “Enemy of the People.”

In a Monday interview with CNBC, Trump discussed the complexities of whether the US should ban TikTok, describing it as a “tough decision.” He continued to express his belief that removing TikTok would benefit Facebook, which he criticized for being “very bad for our country.” While acknowledging TikTok’s perceived national security threat, Trump noted that similar concerns exist with Facebook and other companies. He recognized that many people enjoy TikTok but also acknowledged both its positive and negative aspects.

Lawmakers from both parties who support the bill argue that it does not amount to a ban. Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, chair of a House select committee on China, refuted claims that the bill targets TikTok specifically.

“It’s not a ban,” he clarified. “It gives TikTok the opportunity to sever ties with the Chinese Communist Party. As long as ByteDance relinquishes ownership, TikTok can continue to operate. The key is to change the ownership structure.”

TikTok has contested lawmakers’ assertions that the legislation offers alternatives for the app. “This legislation ultimately leads to one outcome: a complete ban of TikTok in the United States,” the company stated in a post. “The government is infringing on the Constitutional right to free expression of 170 million Americans. This will harm countless businesses, deprive artists of their audience, and jeopardize the livelihoods of numerous creators nationwide.”

TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, has made efforts to arrange last-minute meetings with members of Congress. Additionally, the company sent letters to multiple House lawmakers accusing them of misrepresenting TikTok’s call-to-action campaign. They described lawmakers’ dismissal of constituent views, flooding congressional offices with phone calls, as “offensive.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer refrained from committing to a vote on the House’s TikTok bill on Tuesday, highlighting uncertainty surrounding the bill’s fate if passed. “Let’s wait and see what the House decides,” he commented. “I’ll need to consult with relevant committee chairmen to determine their perspectives.”