Deadline looms as China refuses to hand over algorithm Donald Trump promised he alone could “save TikTok” from a US ban. Months later, the app is still in limbo, and his beautiful big deal is falling apart.

Donald Trump vowed to save TikTok before taking office, claiming only he could make a deal to keep the app operational in the US despite national security concerns.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on July 24 that if China does not accept a deal from the U.S. to sell the app, TikTok will go dark again.