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For embattled Tiktok, Trump offers hope of a reprieve

For embattled Tiktok, Trump offers hope of a reprieve

As United States President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, TikTok could be in line for a reprieve from the very leader who led the charge to ban the embattled video-sharing platform. Under a law signed by US President Joe Biden in April, ByteDance, the Chinese owner of the wildly popular app, was given nine months to divest its stake in the company or face a ban on national security grounds. The deadline for the sale – January 19 – is the day before Trump’s inauguration. On the campaign trail, Trump, who signed an executive order seeking to ban the app during his first term, pledged to “save TikTok” but neither he nor his transition team have disclosed further details about what this might mean for ByteDance. The president-elect potentially has several options, although he would not be able to overturn the law enforcing the ban on his own, according to legal experts. Originally passed in the US House of Representatives as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a shorter version of the ban was tacked onto a Senate bill approving foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. Shortly after it was signed into law, ByteDance initiated a lawsuit arguing that the ban violates the freedom of speech of 170 million American users of the app. “For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban, and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than 1 billion people worldwide,” the company said in the lawsuit. ByteDance did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment. The lawsuit is expected to take years to conclude and is further complicated by the fact that a ban would involve the participation of Google and Apple, which offer TikTok in their app stores, and Oracle, which hosts the app in the US. Anupam Chander, an expert on global tech regulations at Georgetown Law in Washington, DC, said that Trump could ask the US Congress to empower him to negotiate a different arrangement with ByteDance and TikTok that takes security concerns into account. “I think many politicians would prefer that TikTok not go dark in the US in January. After all, some 170 million Americans continue to use the app, even after the government told them it’s a national security threat,” Chander told Al Jazeera. “And yes, even if TikTok stops working for a while because TikTok’s owners won’t sell at a fire sale price, Trump could convince Congress to change the law to bring it back.” David Greene, the civil liberties director of the US-based Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), said Trump could also instruct the US Justice Department to drop or modify its defence in the lawsuit with ByteDance or instruct the US Department of Commerce not to enforce the law. The incoming president could also choose to do nothing and let the ban stand, Greene said. “There’s a fair chance he still doesn’t stick to his offhand comment that ‘I’m going to reverse the TikTok ban’ because he tends to change his mind about these things or he gets talked into changing his mind,” Greene told Al Jazeera. “You may recall he was the one who issued the initial TikTok ban. He did it by executive order [in 2020], which was overturned by the courts, but he was very much of the belief that TikTok posed a national security threat,” he added. The EFF was one of dozens of civil liberties and freedom of speech organisations that opposed a ban on TikTok, arguing that it posed no greater threat than other social media platforms. Critics of the TikTok ban also say that rather than targeting a single social media company, the US needs laws protecting data privacy similar to those passed by the European Union. Much of the concern around TikTok has focused on its Chinese ownership and fears that Beijing could use the app to harvest data on millions of Americans or find a secret back door into their devices. Proponents of a ban also argue that Beijing could use the platform to carry out influence campaigns aimed at subverting US democracy. US-based apps, however, are also capable of harvesting massive amounts of user data, which they can in turn sell to data brokers and then on to intelligence agencies and other buyers. ByteDance attempted to mollify US lawmakers with its $1.5bn “Project Texas” initiative, which created a dedicated US subsidiary to manage American data on US soil with the assistance of US tech company Oracle. Despite the concession, many US officials remain suspicious of the app and its Chinese ownership amid a growing bipartisan consensus that Beijing poses a threat. TikTok has already been banned or otherwise restricted in numerous countries, including Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Somalia, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Restrictions also exist in the US for government employees and at agencies in individual US states. Despite the threat of a US ban, the sale of TikTok had seemed unlikely to many observers from the start because it would mean giving away access to the app’s secret – and some argue, addicting – algorithm. It is also unclear whether Beijing would allow such a sale to go ahead. Adblock test (Why?)

Democratic Colorado governor commends Trump for nominating RFK Jr. as HHS secretary

Democratic Colorado governor commends Trump for nominating RFK Jr. as HHS secretary

Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis praised President-elect Trump for nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. In a lengthy social media post on Thursday, Polis praised Kennedy for helping Colorado “defeat vaccine mandates” in 2019 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA,” he wrote.  “I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than bans (which I think are terrible, just like mandates) but what I’m most optimistic about is taking on big pharma and the corporate ag oligopoly to improve our health,” Polis said. RFK JR. ASKS AMERICANS TO SUGGEST POLICIES FOR NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION: ‘TRANSITION TEAM BELONGS TO YOU’ Trump announced his nomination of RFK Jr. for HHS secretary Thursday afternoon, igniting a firestorm of praise and critique. In his announcement, Trump promised that, with Kennedy leading the HHS, the agency would be restored as the “Gold Standard Scientific Research.” “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,” Trump wrote. “Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!” Kennedy launched his presidential campaign as a Democrat and then eventually endorsed Trump.  Kennedy also spoke during Trump’s historic Madison Square Garden rally last month, where he unleashed on the current state of the Democratic Party. “The Democratic Party is the party of war. It’s the party of the CIA. You had Kamala Harris giving a speech at the Democratic convention that was written by neocons. It was belligerent, pugnacious. It talked about domination of the world by the United States through our weapons of war. It’s the party today that wants to divide Americans. It’s a party that is dismantling women’s sports by letting men play women’s sports,” he said.  TRUMP’S PICKS SO FAR: HERE’S WHO WILL BE ADVISING THE NEW PRESIDENT “It’s the party of Wall Street. It’s the party of Bill Gates, who just gave $50 million to Harris. It’s the party, and the Harris campaign is very proud that it received the endorsement of 50 former CIA agents and officers and of John Bolton and of Dick Cheney.” This isn’t the first time Kennedy was considered for a Cabinet position for a presidential administration. Back in 2008, then President-elect Obama reportedly strongly considered naming Kennedy to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Politico reported at the time.  Polis has been critical of a Trump presidency. He recently joined forces with Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker to co-chair a new coalition called Governors Safeguarding Democracy. The website names “fast-moving disinformation campaigns” and “cyberthreats” as examples of “threats to our democracy.” “Donald Trump is going to bring people into his administration who are absolute loyalists to his cult of personality and not necessarily to the law,” Pritzker said, according to the New York Times. “Last time, he didn’t really know where the levers of government were. I think he probably does now. And so I think that the threat remains great.” During an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Polis said of Trump, “we’re gonna work with him and his administration however we can for our state.”  Polis echoed his sentiments, writing on X that he looks forward to “partnering with him to truly make America healthy again.” “He will face strong special interest opposition on these, but I look forward to partnering with him to truly make America healthy again,” Polis added.  Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

Javier Milei first world leader to meet with President-elect Trump: ‘Greatest political comeback in history’

Javier Milei first world leader to meet with President-elect Trump: ‘Greatest political comeback in history’

The president of Argentina is the first foreign leader to meet in person with President-elect Trump since Trump’s win last week. Javier Milei, known as “the Lion,” has gained notoriety worldwide for his pro-market policies that have slashed Argentine inflation since he took elected office last year. He attended the America First Policy Institute’s (AFPI) gala Thursday evening at Mar-a-Lago and will stay through the CPAC Investor Summit that ends Saturday. ARGENTINA’S MILEI BLASTS UN OVER SUPPORT FOR COVID LOCKDOWNS, APPEASING ‘BLOODY DICTATORSHIPS’ President-elect Trump and President Milei met earlier Thursday, and the encounter “went well,” according to an anonymous source via The Associated Press. He posted to social media site X, sharing his plans with President-elect Trump for the week ahead, claiming he will be the only other president in attendance at the summit. As Milei was ushered out the door to the AFPI gala Thursday, he told the Argentine outlet Clarion, “We’re going to plant the ideas of freedom high.” During his address at the gala, Milei congratulated Trump on his resounding win through an interpreter, saying “this has been the greatest political comeback in history, defying the entire political establishment, even at the risk of his own life.” He also thanked Elon Musk for his role boosting his social media site X for President-elect Trump and communication worldwide. ARGENTINA’S MILEI SHUTS UP CRITICS WITH MIRACLE TURNAROUND OF ECONOMY, STRONG SECURITY POLICIES “There is a silent or rather silent majority that has begun to make itself heard despite the enemies of freedom clinging to power through propaganda, distortion and censorship,” said Milei. “And this is why I would especially like to thank the great Elon Musk for the wonderful job he has been doing to save humanity in communication around the world.”  The Argentine president then claimed that what happened in the U.S. elections last week is similar to his own election last year, with the “party of freedom” taking a victory lap. Milei is considered to be a Trump-like figure in South America, marketing black hats similar to red MAGA hats for fans labeled “las Fuerzas del Cielo” or “the Forces from Heaven.” He also famously wielded a chainsaw at a political rally, vowing to slash wasteful government spending. “I am exhilarated to be able to share with a new United States administration that same love for freedom. And I’m convinced that together we will restore it to the place it deserves,” Milei said in his remarks. President-elect Trump took the stage after Milei’s speech, thanking the Argentine president for his congratulations and commending his leadership. “And, Javier, I’d like to congratulate you on the job you’ve done for Argentina,” said Trump. “Your speech was beautiful, but the job you’ve done is incredible. Make Argentina great again. You know MAGA. He’s a MAGA person. And you know he’s doing that. He’s actually. He’s actually doing that. “You know, I’d say you’ve done a fantastic job in a very short period of time. It’s an honor to have you here.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The office of Argentine President Javier Milei did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Dem Rep. Robert Garcia says RFK Jr. nomination for health secretary is ‘f—— insane,’ will ‘cost lives’

Dem Rep. Robert Garcia says RFK Jr. nomination for health secretary is ‘f—— insane,’ will ‘cost lives’

Some lawmakers and public health leaders decried the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for health secretary by President-elect Trump.  U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., called the choice “f—— insane.” “The RFK as Health Secretary appointment is f—— insane,” he wrote on X. “He’s a vaccine denier and a tin foil hat conspiracy theorist. He will destroy our public health infrastructure and our vaccine distribution systems. This is going to cost lives.” Garcia’s office was not immediately available for comment.  RFK JR. CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF FLUORIDE FROM DRINKING WATER, SPARKING DEBATE In a statement posted on social media, Kennedy said he plans to tackle a range of issues should he be confirmed by the Senate to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  “Together we will clean up corruption, stop the revolving door between industry and government, and return our health agencies to their rich tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science. I will provide Americans with transparency and access to all the data so they can make informed choices for themselves and their families,” he wrote.  Kennedy rose to prominence as a skeptic of vaccines, while voicing concerns about their impact. Madhukar Pai, chair of McGill University’s Global and Public Health Department in Montreal, Canada, said Kennedy’s appointment could be the “biggest setback to global vaccination programs since Andrew Wakefield,” referring to the British scientist who published research linking vaccines to autism that was later retracted. TRUMP HHS COULD REVERSE BIDEN-HARRIS POLICIES ON GENDER TREATMENTS FOR MINORS Garcia, the former mayor of Long Beach who served on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, previously described Kennedy as a threat to public health during a hearing.  “The fact that we’re considering to bring somebody on with no scientific or medical credentials, who’s falsely claimed for decades that vaccines cause autism, who has, quite frankly, said just outrageous comments about science and medicine, that this person would come in to gut the NIH (National Institutes of Health), I think is shameful,” he said.  “We should be very concerned as a country that RFK Jr. could be put in charge of health when he is a vaccine denier and has caused great harm to the American public.”  Donna Shalala, the longest serving HHS secretary, called Kennedy’s nomination “shocking.” RFK JR. ASKS AMERICANS TO SUGGEST POLICIES FOR NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION: ‘TRANSITION TEAM BELONGS TO YOU’ “Kennedy is an unqualified, know-nothing. He is dangerous to the health and well-being of every American,” she said.  Despite the pushback, Kennedy has supporters. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, urged Kennedy to make changes at HHS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican, noted that Kennedy has championed issues like healthy foods and greater transparency in public health infrastructure. “I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda,” Cassidy wrote on X.  Kennedy was previously considered for a Cabinet position in 2008, when President-elect Barack Obama reportedly considered naming him to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

Trump announces North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Department of the Interior secretary

Trump announces North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Department of the Interior secretary

President-elect Trump teased a “big” announcement Thursday night, sharing that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will lead the Department of the Interior. “He’s going to be announced [Friday]…I look forward to doing the formal announcement, although this is a pretty big announcement right now, actually,” Trump said during his speech at the Americans For Prosperity Gala at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday. “He’s going to head the Department of Interior, and he’s going to be fantastic.” “We’re going to reduce regulation waste, fraud and inefficiency,” Trump said. “We’re going to clean out the corrupt, broken and failing bureaucracies. And we’re going to stop child sexual mutilation. We’re going to stop it because it’s time.” TRUMP’S PICKS SO FAR: HERE’S WHO WILL BE ADVISING THE NEW PRESIDENT Burgum, a multi-millionaire former software company CEO turned two-term governor, launched a White House bid in June 2023.  Bergum made energy and natural resources a key part of his campaign for the GOP nomination. After making the stage at the first two GOP presidential debates, Burgum failed to qualify for the third showdown, in autumn of last year, and he dropped out of the White House race last December. A month later, he appeared in Iowa with Trump and endorsed the former president for the GOP nomination, days ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucuses. Burgum became a high profile surrogate for the former president, appearing on the campaign trail and in media hits on Trump’s behalf. He was in consideration as Trump’s running mate this past summer before Sen. JD Vance of Ohio was picked as the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee. WATCH: Burgum, in an interview with “Fox and Friends” last week, said Trump’s election victory was “game changing” and that “we’ve got a new sheriff in town.”  The governor added that a Trump victory also “means that America is going to be dominant in energy.” “America is going to be dominant in energy which is key to all the diplomacy we do all over the world,” he said.

Trump announces North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Department of Interior

Trump announces North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Department of Interior

President-elect Trump teased a “big” announcement, sharing that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will lead the Department of the Interior. “He’s going to be announced tomorrow…I look forward to doing the formal announcement, although this is a pretty big announcement right now, actually,” Trump said during his speech at the Americans For Prosperity Gala at Mar-A-Lago on Thursday. “He’s going to head the Department of Interior, and he’s going to be fantastic.” “We’re going to reduce regulation waste, fraud and inefficiency,” Trump said. “We’re going to clean out the corrupt, broken and failing bureaucracies. And we’re going to stop child sexual mutilation. We’re going to stop it because it’s time.”