Major tech leaders, including TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, will attend Trump's upcoming presidential inauguration from privileged positions on the dais, alongside Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos.

Photo Credit: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew by Lukasz Kobus / CC by 4.0

This development marks a dramatic shift in Trump's stance toward TikTok. During his first term, Trump attempted to ban the app and force ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, to sell to American owners. Now, Trump credits TikTok for helping him connect with younger voters during his recent campaign.

The timing is particularly significant as TikTok faces a potential nationwide ban on January 19, one day before the inauguration. Congress has mandated that ByteDance must sell TikTok's US operations to an American company or cease operations, citing national security concerns.

Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser, has indicated Trump's intention to preserve TikTok while addressing data protection concerns. "TikTok itself is a fantastic platform," Waltz told Fox News. "We're going to find a way to preserve it but protect people's data."

Recent developments suggest a potential reversal of TikTok's fortune under the new administration, following Chew's meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida last month. While the Supreme Court could still rule on the ban's constitutionality, Trump's newfound support may prove crucial for TikTok's future in the United States.

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