TikTok is making a last-minute push as the Supreme Court prepares to overturn the ban

As the Supreme Court on Friday prepares to announce its landmark decision on whether to uphold legislation to effectively ban TikTok in the United States, the popular Chinese app and its allies have sent a boost. at the last minute to avoid law enforcement. .

Representatives of the company have flocked to Capitol Hill in recent days, pressing lawmakers in the TikTok case that the app, which is owned by ByteDance, should receive amnesty, and warning that if not it may be dark on Sunday when the law is scheduled. will take effect, said three people familiar with the effort.

Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, told President Biden in a recent phone call that the ban would damage his legacy if it happened on his watch, according to two people familiar with the matter. the conversation is normal. Mr Schumer, who has said he wants TikTok to be sold to US owners rather than banned, confirmed publicly on Thursday that he had pushed Biden to extend the deadline.

Meanwhile, President-elect Donald J. Trump – who has signaled his support for the implementation and will take office on Monday – has weighed in on signing an executive order that could effectively repeal the law.

The flurry of action comes as the Supreme Court, in a rare move, has strongly recommended issuing a decision on the law on Friday. Putting the case on fast track last month, the justices heard arguments just a week ago and appear to be leaning toward upholding the law.

“This threat to black out on Sunday has caught people’s attention,” said Sarah Kreps, director of the Tech Policy Institute at Cornell University. It seems to be “made of crystal which is very dangerous”.

The potential ban stems from bipartisan legislation last year that would have forced app stores like Apple and Google, plus cloud computing providers, to stop sharing TikTok unless ByteDance sold it to them. it is a non-Chinese owner within 270 days. Mr. Biden signed the law in April amid national security concerns that the Chinese government could use the app to spy on Americans and spread propaganda.

If the Supreme Court upholds the law, as expected, it will have incalculable ramifications for the world of social media, popular culture, and the millions of influencers and small businesses that rely on the platform to to earn a living is the order. TikTok, which claims to have 170 million US users, has become a cultural hub hosting everything from trending dance videos to important community information within the crisis. Other social media companies may benefit.

The ban could also have a major impact on US-China relations, which are already deeply strained over trade and tariffs. Beijing restricted mining exports to the United States last month after Washington officials imposed new curbs on China’s computer chip industry. Mr. Trump threatened a wider trade war. Trump after taking office.

It is unclear whether an executive order from Mr. Trump would end the ban. Legal experts say it is possible to order the Justice Department not to implement the law, or to delay implementation for a specified period of time, but it is uncertain how such an executive order would proceed if challenged. in court.

Another possible way to end the ban is to find a buyer, allowing the president to extend the 90-day period. The law says there must be a viable deal on the table, but no clear buyer has yet emerged. Some lawmakers urged Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump on Thursday to extend the deadline anyway.

TikTok has said the sale is not possible because TikTok is a global business, and China has already signaled it will block exports of its vital video streaming technology.

Instead, TikTok has worked on political connections to avoid losing American business. TikTok Chief Executive Shou Chew has been based in the United States instead of his usual base, Singapore, amid political turmoil surrounding the company, two people familiar with his plans said.

Mr. Trump invited Chew to attend Monday’s inauguration and take a seat of honor on the dais, where former presidents, family members and other important guests sit.

TikTok has also tended to associate itself with conservative activists. It has spent thousands of dollars sponsoring the party’s headline show this Sunday called “The Power 30,” which will honor conservative influencers.

Inside the company, employees have considered whether the experience of using the application should change in some way if the ban is in effect.

On Friday, the Supreme Court will issue at least one opinion starting at 10 a.m., a day it had not previously expected. The judge will not take the bench, an unusual move in deciding contested cases.

The last time the court did so was in March, when it issued a decision in another swift and important case, rejecting a challenge to Mr. Trump’s eligibility on the primary ballot. in Colorado.

Although the TikTok law gained bipartisan support last year, some politicians now worry that the ban could cause a political backlash among Americans. Many young adults rely on TikTok for endless memes, dance moves, political commentary, news and comedy.

“We’re going to put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark,” former Representative Mike Waltz, who is Mr. Trump’s incoming national security adviser, said Thursday morning on “Fox and Friends. ” “It’s a great platform for him and his campaign to get America’s first message out, but he also wants to protect their data.”

Democrats have expressed concern in recent days that the application will go offline on Mr. Biden’s watch, and even introduced legislation on Tuesday to extend the sales period. Mr. Schumer accused Republicans of blocking the proposal.

“It is clear that we need more time to find American buyers and not disrupt the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans, many influencers who have built a good network of followers,” said Mr. Schumer during his speech in the House of Representatives. old man. floor on Thursday.

Two of the bill’s sponsors, Senators Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts and Cory Booker of New Jersey, both Democrats, called on Mr. Biden to extend the 90-day deadline. – press conference on Thursday – although there was no agreement to sell the company. on the table.

“He is the acting president, and he can exercise that power right now,” Mr. Markey said.

“We hope that if President Biden doesn’t use that power, that President Trump, after his swearing in on Monday, will use that power to make sure that TikTok stays alive,” Mr. Markey said.

Catie Edmondson contributed to the report.