In a recent interview on Meet the Press, President-elect Donald Trump dodged the question of whether he would protect TikTok from its impending ban, instead implying that the app's parent company, ByteDance, should consider selling it to an American company. This comes after a federal court upheld a law that could result in TikTok being banned in the US, and ByteDance's failed appeal of the ban.

During the interview, Trump praised his campaign's use of TikTok, stating that it was "very effective" in helping him win the youth vote. However, when pressed on whether he would take steps to protect the app, Trump deflected the question, saying that "something else is going to come along and take its place" if TikTok is banned. He also referenced a judge's statement that Chinese companies cannot own apps in the US, implying that a sale to an American company could be a solution.

Trump's stance on TikTok has been murky since he started positioning himself opposite of the Biden administration's support of a ban. In recent months, he has urged people to "save TikTok" by voting for him, and has stated that getting rid of the platform would only benefit Facebook, which he called an "enemy of the people." This has led to confusion about his true intentions regarding the app's future.

The implications of a TikTok ban are significant, with the app facing an uphill legal battle to stop the ban from taking effect. If ByteDance's motion for an injunction is not granted, it will have to sell TikTok by January 19th or face its expulsion from the US. This could have major consequences for the app's users, as well as the tech industry as a whole.

Industry experts are watching the situation closely, with many speculating about the potential consequences of a TikTok ban. Some have argued that a ban would stifle innovation and limit consumer choice, while others believe it is necessary to protect national security. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the future of TikTok hangs in the balance, and Trump's murky stance is only adding to the uncertainty.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Trump's administration as it navigates the complex issue of TikTok's future. Will he take steps to protect the app, or will he allow the ban to take effect? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the tech industry is holding its breath, waiting to see what happens next.