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Thursday, June 19, 2025
chris christie

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August 18, 2023
William Upton
News
Politics

Everybody Hates Chris (Christie).

Everybody hates Chris Christie. Well, almost everybody, according to a new poll that shows the presidential candidate has almost no constituency anywhere in the nation.

Just 24 percent of Republicans surveyed have a favorable opinion of him compared to 57 percent who view him unfavorably. Among Democrats, Christie gleans 22 percent favorability and 60 percent view him unfavorably. The margin amongst independent voters was 17 percent to 46 percent.

Christie’s favorability amongst urban, suburban, and rural voters all trended in the low 20s, while his unfavorable rating ranged from 54 to 60 percent. Among key racial demographics things did not improve, with former Governor Christie with White voters saying they saw Christie as favorable 24 percent to 57 percent unfavorable, Black voters rated him 19 percent favorable to 48 percent unfavorable, and Hispanic voters came in at 16 percent favorable to 55 percent unfavorable.

Yet, the former New Jersey Governor has begun to eat Ron DeSantis’s lunch in New Hampshire, with no signs of the feast abating.

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16 minutes ago
Crime
News

Border Patrol Found a Massive Tunnel From Tijuana to the U.S.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Border Patrol agents discovered a sophisticated cross-border smuggling tunnel connecting California to Tijuana, Mexico.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Mexican law enforcement officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The tunnel was discovered in April under the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, with its entrance in Mexico finally discovered earlier this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “As we continue to strengthen the nation’s air and maritime border security, it’s not surprising that foreign terrorist organizations would resort to underground routes.” – Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker.

🎯IMPACT: The discovery highlights ongoing dangers to the U.S. at the southern border and the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on them.

IN FULL

Border Patrol agents in San Diego, California, have uncovered a sophisticated smuggling tunnel connecting California to Tijuana, Mexico. The tunnel, which reportedly extended over 1,000 feet into the U.S., was discovered by the San Diego Sector Tunnel Team in April under the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

The tunnel, still under construction, included a rail track for moving cargo, as well as electrical wiring, lighting, and ventilation systems. According to officials, the passage was about 50 feet underground at its deepest point and measured 42 inches in height and 28 inches in width.

Jeffrey D. Stalnaker, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego Sector, stated, “As we continue to strengthen the nation’s air, and maritime border security, it’s not surprising that foreign terrorist organizations would resort to underground routes.” He emphasized the importance of disrupting narcotics smuggling tunnels to safeguard American lives.

Agents encountered makeshift barriers designed to hinder their movement south through the tunnel. However, earlier this week, they identified a possible exit point in Mexico and coordinated with Mexican law enforcement, who later executed a search warrant at a residence in Nueva Tijuana. The tunnel’s entrance was found concealed under freshly laid tile.

Officials believe the tunnel was intended to transport large quantities of drugs into the United States. This discovery comes amidst ongoing efforts to address cross-border smuggling, including legislation passed by the House of Representatives in March requiring annual reports to Congress on such tunnels.

While President Donald J. Trump‘s tougher border policy has led to a massive decline in illegal immigration, drug smuggling remains a problem at the southern border. Last month, a woman was caught smuggling enough fentanyl in her body to easily kill her if the package had leaked in any way.

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By Popular Demand.
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55 minutes ago
News

Drill, Baby, Drill: Trump to Unlock 82% of Alaskan Petroleum Reserve.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Interior (DOI) has proposed reopening up to 82 percent of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) for oil and gas leasing and development.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of Interior, Acting Assistant Secretary Adam Suess, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and the American Petroleum Institute (API).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The draft analysis was released on June 17, 2025. The NPR-A spans 23 million acres in Alaska.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re cutting red tape and restoring commonsense policies that ensure responsible development and good stewardship of our public lands.” – Adam Suess.

🎯IMPACT: The proposal aims to boost domestic energy production, create jobs, and reduce dependence on foreign oil while reversing Biden-era restrictions.

IN FULL

The Department of the Interior (DOI) has released a draft analysis proposing reopening up to 82 percent of the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) to oil and gas leasing. Initially set aside as an emergency oil supply for the U.S. Navy in 1923, the reserve was transferred to the DOI’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 1976.

In 2022, the Biden government closed nearly half of the NPR-A to oil and gas drilling, reversing policies from the first Trump administration aimed at boosting energy development. The new DOI proposal reverses these restrictions as part of President Donald J. Trump’s policy push toward regulatory reform and “unleashing American energy dominance.”

Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess emphasized the importance of the plan, stating, “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re cutting red tape and restoring commonsense policies that ensure responsible development and good stewardship of our public lands.” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum criticized a second 2024 Biden-era rule—which closed even more of the NPR-A to drilling—as prioritizing “obstruction over production” and undermining energy independence.

The Biden government’s 2024 rule had closed approximately 11 million acres of the reserve to oil and gas extraction and restricted construction on an additional two million acres. The DOI’s latest proposal includes rescinding both the 2022 and  2024 Biden-era rules. “Congress was clear: the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska was set aside to support America’s energy security through responsible development,” Burgum stated.

The American Petroleum Institute (API)—the largest U.S. trade association for the oil and gas industry—welcomed the move, calling the Biden regulations “misguided.”

Image by Malcolm Manners.

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2 hours ago
Economy
War

Iran Is Poised to Shut a Vital Shipping Route, Here’s What That Could Mean:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Iran has warned it may shut the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, if the U.S. intervenes in its conflict with Israel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senior Iranian officials, including Ali Yazdikhah and Behnam Saeedi, along with U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made on Wednesday and Thursday, with escalating tensions in the Middle East and discussions in Washington, D.C., and Geneva.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If the United States officially and operationally enters the war in support of the Zionists, it is the legitimate right of Iran to disrupt their oil trade’s ease of transit.” – Ali Yazdikhah, a senior Iranian lawmaker.

🎯IMPACT: A closure of the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global oil markets, prompt a strong military response from regional powers like Saudi Arabia, and escalate the conflict further.

IN FULL

Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global oil transit, if the United States becomes directly involved in its conflict with Israel. Ali Yazdikhah, a senior Iranian lawmaker, stated, “If the United States officially and operationally enters the war in support of the Zionists, it is the legitimate right of Iran to disrupt their oil trade’s ease of transit.”

Behnam Saeedi, a member of Iran’s National Security Committee presidium, echoed this, saying that closing the strait is “one of the potential options.” The remarks come as tensions rise in the region, with U.S. President Donald J. Trump weighing the possibility of military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage that handles approximately 26 percent of the world’s oil trade. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that any disruption to the flow of oil through the strait would have significant consequences for global markets. Historically, Iran has demonstrated its capacity to threaten shipping in the strait, using tactics such as deploying mines and targeting oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War. Notably, if Iran were to deploy a significant number of mines in the strait’s waters, it could effectively close the passage to ships for the foreseeable future.

Recent satellite photos and shipping analysis indicate that Iran is rapidly moving to fill its oil tanker fleet and disperse it well outside the Persian Gulf and into the open ocean. A bulk of the shipping traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days is attributed to the Iranian oil tanker fleet departing the country’s primary petroleum storage hub, Kharg Island. Consequently, satellite images of Kharg Island show its oil storage containers all to be near capacity, suggesting Iran intends to fill and disperse as many tanker ships in its fleet as possible before it makes a possible move to mine the waters of the strait.

During Thursday’s White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from President Trump, laying out a timeline for potential U.S. action: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”  Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned late Wednesday, “The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.”

Diplomatic efforts remain ongoing, with Germany, France, and Britain set to meet Iranian officials in Geneva on Friday for nuclear talks.

Image via Tasnim News Agency.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
NatSec

Warrior Ethos: Navy Smashes Recruitment Targets Under Trump, Hegseth.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Navy announced it has fulfilled its recruitment goals months ahead of schedule, following a similar announcement from the Army earlier this year.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Navy, Navy Secretary John Phelan, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on June 18, on X.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Those in uniform today are sailing forward, and the next generation is already preparing to take the watch. To our newest sailors, welcome to the fleet.” — Navy Secretary John Phelan.

🎯IMPACT: The recruitment surge shows the positive effects of President Trump’s policies toward the Armed Forces.

IN FULL

The U.S. Navy has announced that it has already met its recruitment goals three months ahead of schedule, just weeks after the U.S. Army made a similar announcement. Navy Secretary John Phelan announced on June 18 that the Navy had added 40,600 new sailors to its ranks.

“This milestone reflects more than numbers. It reflects the drive of our recruiters, the innovation of our team, and the courage of thousands of Americans who stepped forward to serve,” Phelan said. “Those in uniform today are sailing forward, and the next generation is already preparing to take the watch. To our newest sailors, welcome to the fleet,” he added.

The announcement comes after the Army stated earlier this year that it had met recruitment goals months ahead of schedule, with 61,000 fresh recruits recorded.

Under the prior Biden regime, U.S. military branches struggled with recruitment goals, partly due to a shift to focusing on woke issues and diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) policies. For instance, the Army missed recruitment goals by 25 percent in 2022. The situation was exacerbated by Biden having unvaccinated servicemen discharged by the thousands.

Current Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced earlier this year that he was more interested in reviving the Armed Forces’ “warrior ethos” and scrapped DEI policies. He also moved to reenlist veterans removed from service for declining to be injected with COVID-19 vaccines.

President Donald J. Trump organized a massive parade last weekend for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, underscoring his administration’s appreciation for the nation’s military.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Economy
Politics

Trump Is Pushing the House to Pass This Senate Crypto Bill, Fast.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Senate passed the GENIUS Act in a 68-30 vote, aiming to position the U.S. as a leader in digital assets.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the U.S. Senate, and the House of Representatives.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Senate approved the bill on Tuesday, with Trump urging the House to act on Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Senate just passed an incredible Bill that is going to make America the UNDISPUTED Leader in Digital Assets — Nobody will do it better, it is pure GENIUS!” – Donald Trump.

🎯IMPACT: The GENIUS Act could establish the U.S. as a global leader in crypto and digital asset innovation.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump late Wednesday urged the House to speedily pass the Senate’s GENIUS Act, arguing it would propel the United States to become the world’s leader on crypto and digital assets. The upper chamber approved the legislation in a 68-30 vote on Tuesday.

The bill would enact new federal guidelines for stablecoins and create a framework for private companies to issue digital dollars. “The Senate just passed an incredible Bill that is going to make America the UNDISPUTED Leader in Digital Assets — Nobody will do it better, it is pure GENIUS! Digital Assets are the future, and our Nation is going to own it,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“We are talking about MASSIVE Investment, and Big Innovation. The House will hopefully move LIGHTNING FAST, and pass a ‘clean’ GENIUS Act,” he continued, adding: “Get it to my desk, ASAP — NO DELAYS, NO ADD ONS. This is American Brilliance at its best, and we are going to show the World how to WIN with Digital Assets like never before!”

Trump’s Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has lauded the bill, stating that “stablecoins could grow into a $3.7 trillion market by the end of the decade.”

“A thriving stablecoin ecosystem will drive demand from the private sector for US Treasuries, which back stablecoins,” Bessent wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “This newfound demand could lower government borrowing costs and help rein in the national debt.”

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Education
Immigration

Trump Is Increasing Vetting for Foreign Students. Here’s How:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The State Department announced the resumption of student visa application interviews with new social media vetting protocols.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Wednesday, with immediate plans to resume visa interviews.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision.” – U.S. State Department.

🎯IMPACT: Stricter vetting aims to prevent foreigners with anti-American or violent ideologies from entering the U.S. education system.

IN FULL

The State Department will resume granting student visas, but with heightened social media protocols to monitor possible support for terrorism or “a history of political activism” associated with violence or anti-American views. The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it would soon start scheduling student visa application interviews after all new applications were frozen last month. Potential exchange students will be asked to make their social media profiles public to allow for vetting.

“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security,” the State Department said. “Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants.”

The Trump administration has expressed concern about foreign students who have engaged in violent anti-Semitic protests on campuses across the country, as well as Chinese students connected to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the department’s announcement continued, adding: “The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.”

Meanwhile, a cable to American diplomats instructed them to search the social media accounts of students for “any indications of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States,” “advocacy for, aid or support for foreign terrorists and other threats to U.S. national security” and “support for unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence.” One specific terrorist group they were urged to watch out for was Hamas. The diplomats were also told to determine if “applicants who demonstrate a history of political activism” were associated with violence and asked to “consider the likelihood they would continue such activity in the United States.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States does not want to import anti-American agitators to disrupt and undermine the education system. The resumption of student visa application interviews comes after President Donald J. Trump announced last week that the United States would continue to allow Chinese students into the country as part of a trade deal.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
War

BREAKING: Trump to Decide on Iran Strikes ‘Within Two Weeks.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump will decide on U.S. actions in the Iran-Israel conflict within two weeks, according to the White House.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Iranian and Israeli leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statement made during a White House press briefing on Thursday, June 19.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.” – President Trump.

🎯IMPACT: The statement underscores the possibility of imminent U.S. action in the Middle East if potential diplomatic efforts with Iran do not succeed.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has stated that he will make a decision on U.S. actions in the Iran-Israel conflict “within the next two weeks,” citing the potential for upcoming negotiations with Iran. The comments were relayed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a press briefing on Thursday.

Quoting the President directly, Leavitt said, “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

Leavitt also emphasized that President Trump has been consistent in his stance that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. “Nobody should be surprised by the President’s position that Iran absolutely cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. He has been unequivocally clear about this for decades, not just as President, not just as a presidential candidate, but also as a private citizen,” she said.

Referencing past remarks, Leavitt added, “In 2011, President Trump said, ‘America’s primary goal with Iran must be to destroy its nuclear ambitions. We cannot allow this radical regime to acquire a nuclear weapon that they will either use or hand off to terrorists.'”

She also noted that the President had previously issued a 60-day warning to Iran to make a deal, with Israel taking action on day 61.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
UK

Nigel Farage Is Leaving Britain’s Uniparty in the Dust.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A new poll from Find Out Now shows Nigel Farage’s Reform Party leading nationwide with 31 percent support, far ahead of the governing Labour Party and the formerly governing Conservatives (Tories).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Reform, Labour, the Tories, the Find Out Now polling firm, and 2,628 Great British adults surveyed.

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 2025, United Kingdom.

🎯IMPACT: The findings represent a seismic shift in British politics and show Reform may be on course to dethrone Labour and the Conservatives, who have led every British government since 1915.

IN FULL

A stunning new national poll shows Nigel Farage’s Reform Party building an increasingly strong position at the top of Britain’s political landscape, surpassing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s Labour Party and the formerly governing Conservatives. The poll, conducted by Find Out Now, surveyed 2,628 Great British adults, and shows Reform UK polling at 31 percent—far ahead of Labour, at 23 percent, and the Conservatives, at an abysmal 16 percent.

The Liberal Democrats come in at 12 percent, with the Greens at 11 percent. The Scottish National Party (SNP), formerly led by the notorious Humza Yousaf, registered three percent, with “Other” at two percent, and the Welsh independence party Plaid Cymru at one percent.

Reform’s rise appears to coincide with growing disaffection among former Conservative voters, after the party governed from the left and oversaw an unprecedented surge in mass migration from 2010 to mid-2024, and widespread frustration with Labour’s punishing tax policies and failures on illegal immigration. The polling firm notes that the sample is representative across Great Britain—Northern Ireland has a unique party landscape—by sex, age, region, ethnicity, and voting history, and excludes those who said they would not vote or who were undecided.

Reform’s leader, Brexit champion Nigel Farage, has consistently called for tougher immigration controls, tax cuts, and energy independence.

Image courtesy of Stuart Mitchell, IncMonocle.

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5 hours ago
Media
War

Trump Blasts WSJ Over Iran Report.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming he had authorized a strike on Iran but was awaiting potential negotiations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the WSJ, and unnamed sources cited in the report.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The denial was issued on Thursday via Trump’s Truth Social platform.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Wall Street Journal has No Idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The denial adds uncertainty to U.S. involvement in the Israeli conflict with Iran, as the administration’s plans remain unclear.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has denied reporting from the Wall Street Journal asserting that he had already authorized a strike on Iran but was waiting to see if Tehran would negotiate. “The Wall Street Journal has No Idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, on June 19.

The WSJ reported that Trump had told aides of his plans, citing “people familiar with the deliberations.” The President has remained coy with the public over his plans to enter the ongoing Israeli conflict with Iran. President Trump stated on June 18 that Iran had reached out to the United States regarding a possible ceasefire, but hinted they may have left it too late.

The Netanyahu government launched a preemptive attack on the country’s nuclear facilities and senior officials last week, and both sides have exchanged missile and air strikes every day over the past week. According to some sources, Israel is now running low on certain kinds of ballistic missile interceptors, which could lead to U.S. participation in the conflict. Thus far, the U.S. has officially limited its operations to helping shoot down Iranian missiles launched at Israel.

Israel, meanwhile, has suggested it may escalate the conflict and eliminate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after a 50-missile barrage on June 19 that saw a major Israeli hospital struck.

“A dictator like Khamenei, who heads a country like Iran and has made the destruction of the State of Israel his declared goal, cannot be allowed to continue… without question this man should no longer continue to exist,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

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5 hours ago
NatSec
News
TECH

Trump Says China Can Keep Harvesting Your Data For Now.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order extending the deadline for China’s ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S.-based buyer by another 90 days.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, ByteDance, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The executive order was signed on Thursday, with the new deadline set for September 17, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’ve just signed the Executive Order extending the Deadline for the TikTok closing for 90 days (September 17, 2025). Thank you for your attention to this matter!” – Donald Trump.

🎯IMPACT: The extension allows TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. while ByteDance seeks an American buyer.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the short-form video app to an American owner by another 90 days. On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order granting this extension, allowing the Chinese company more time to sell its platform and continue operating in the United States.

“I’ve just signed the Executive Order extending the Deadline for the TikTok closing for 90 days (September 17, 2025). Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump announced on Truth Social. While aboard Air Force One on Wednesday morning, Trump expressed optimism that Chinese President Xi Jinping would be open to a deal involving the sale of TikTok. ByteDance, based in Beijing, has not yet commented on the matter.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “As he has said many times, President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark. This extension will last 90 days, which the administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure.”

A law was initially passed under the Biden government banning TikTok unless ByteDance, which is tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), divests, citing national security concerns. Since Trump’s administration signaled it would allow the app to remain operational in the U.S., TikTok resumed functioning after briefly going offline. ByteDance has denied that TikTok poses security concerns and claims American data is not stored in China. However, it was fined hundreds of millions of dollars in Europe just last month, after regulators found that, despite denials, user data was indeed being held on Chinese servers. Last year, The National Pulse reported that a supposed “firewall” preventing U.S. data from being shared with China was proving ineffective.

The Supreme Court has upheld the Biden-era law requiring TikTok to be sold to an American owner. Under the new deadline set by Trump, ByteDance must finalize a sale to a U.S.-based buyer. Potential buyers have included Amazon, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and others.

However, ByteDance has remained quiet on whether it will make a deal, with no real evidence that one was imminent prior to this extension or a previous extension.

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