Update 08/08/2020 1:08pm:

The back and forth between Trump and TikTok has been escalating, with Trump recently issuing an executive order that would ban the parent company of the popular app from conducting business with companies in the United States. Now, TikTok has reportedly threatened to take legal action against the issued order that is set to take place on September 20.

TikTok responded to the order via a blog post saying they were “shocked” by the executive order, and also, there was “no due process or adherence to the law” from the Trump administration or the White House. Tiktok went on to say, “We will pursue all remedies available to us in order to ensure that the rule of law is not discarded and that our company and our users are treated fairly — if not by the Administration, then by the U.S. courts.”

TikTok wasn’t the only company to be affected by the order, as Chinese-owned app WeChat was hit with an executive order related to their company as well. The company that owns WeChat—Tencent said they are “reviewing the executive order to get a full understanding.”

source: USA Today

Original 08/03/2020 3:33pm:

Recently, TikTok responded to Trump’s threat to issue executive action to ban the app from the United States. Since then, reports surfaced saying Microsoft was currently in talks to purchase the app from the parent company ByteDance. Microsoft noted they wanted to complete discussions to make the purchase by September 15, but now Trump has set a deadline on that date.

Via a press conference, Trump claimed the issue surrounding TikTok is privacy, and that the United States cannot afford for TikTok users’ information to fall into the hands of China. Trump also noted that the U.S. side of TikTok cannot be controlled by China, but he would like to have an American company with a strong cybersecurity operation running in the country.

source: TMZ

Original 08/01/2020 5:45pm:

Previously, Trump announced he planned on signing an executive order to ban TikTok in America. Now, the general manager of TikTok, Vanessa Pappas has responded directed to the claim.

Via Instagram, Pappas said “I want to say thank you to the millions of Americans who use TikTok everyday bringing their creativity and joy into our daily lives. We've heard your outpouring support and we want to say thank you. We're not planning on going anywhere.

She also said “I also want to thank our 1,500 U.S. employees who work on this app every day and the additional 10,000 jobs that we're bringing into this country over the next three years." The announcement allegedly is in response to the users of TikTok who reportedly got tickets for his Tulsa rally in advance just to leave the seats empty.

Original 08/01/2020 1:17am:

According to reports, President Trump has announced plans to ban TikTok from the United States through an executive action that could happen as soon as Saturday. “As far as TikTok is concerned we’re banning them from the United States,” Trump said to reporters while on Air Force One. “Well, I have that authority. I can do it with an executive order or that,” he said. 

Trump's TikTok ban could also squash the potential Microsoft deal on the table for the software company to acquire the video platform. The Chinese company that owns TikTok, ByteDance, was in talks with tech giant prior to Trump's announcement. The president also made it clear that he isn't in favor of any U.S. corporation acquiring the video platform. “Not the deal that you have been hearing about, that they are going to buy and sell . . . and Microsoft and another one. We are not an M&A [mergers and acquisitions] country,” said the president. 

Source: cnbc.com