Connect with us

Published

on

President-elect Trump could keep his pledge to “save” TikTok – and still address national security concerns that spurred Congress to authorize a ban — by brokering a sale of the Chinese-owned app to a US buyer, experts told The Post.

China-based ByteDance has until Jan. 19 to completely divest its stake in TikTok or face a total US ban of the app.

In a last-ditch scramble to nix the law, ByteDance and TikTok have appealed to the Supreme Court and cozied up to Trump in the hope that he can somehow intervene.

The Supreme Court agreed to take up the case on Wednesday and has scheduled oral arguments for Jan. 10 — just nine days before the ban takes effect.

A US appeals court previously rejected TikTok’s bid to block the bill in a 3-0 decision, which suggests the company faces an uphill battle to win a late reprieve.

If Trump agrees that TikTok should remain online in the US and decides to get involved, a full divestiture is the only realistic path forward, according to Michael Sobolik, senior fellow at American Foreign Policy Council and author of Countering Chinas Great Game.

If you really want TikTok to operate in the United States, and if you want it to operate safely for Americans, then there needs to be a complete separation from its parent company, Sobolik said. And there cannot be any sort of ownership or control, direct or indirect, from a foreign adversary government. I don’t think there’s any alternative.

Trump who led the original push to ban TikTok during his first term said at a Monday press conference that he has a warm spot in my heart for TikTok and would take a look at the situation. Soon after, Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Details from the meeting have yet to emerge and its unclear whether the talks between Trump and Chew yielded any progress toward a resolution.

Representatives for TikTok and the Trump transition team did not return requests for comment.

Brokering a deal will be no easy feat. TikTok has insisted that it is not for sale and argued that the tight divestment window made finding a buyer impossible, even if it were inclined.

China also has said it will resist any attempt to force a TikTok sale and Beijing has export controls to stop the sale of its algorithm.

Still, the looming deadline creates a great opportunity for a win-win situation if Trump can hammer out a deal, according to Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Select Committee on China, which led the charge on the ban-or-sale bill.

Subscribe to our daily Business Report newsletter!

Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story.

President Trump is a great negotiator. He loves America. He loves our national security, Moolenaar told The Post. He also recognizes that TikTok is a very valuable platform, and I think he will be able to put together a coalition of people who want to see this app continue in the United States, but do it in a secure way.

The Justice Department described TikTok as a national-security threat of immense depth and scale that functions as a Chinese spying and propaganda tool on US soil, capable of secretly manipulating content served to users through its recommendation algorithm and mass data collection such as location-tracking, among other risks.

TikTok has argued that the sale-or-ban law is unconstitutional and vehemently denied that it poses a threat to national security.

Aside from helping to negotiate a deal for TikTok, Trump is limited in what he can do to intervene. The law gives the president the power to impose a 90-day extension on the Jan. 19 deadline if there are signs of significant progress toward a deal.

Trump could push Congress to amend or reverse the law, but that could prove difficult given the overwhelming bipartisan support it received.

He could also direct the Justice Department not to enforce the law but that would shift major legal liability to app store operators like Google and Apple.

Last week, the House Select Committee on China sent letters to Google’s Sundar Pichai and Apple’s Tim Cook reminding them they are obligated to remove TikTok from their app stores by Jan. 19 if a sale wasn’t reached.

The uncertainty about Trumps strategy on TikTok has created a conundrum for Republicans including some close allies who have vocally supported a ban.

“Trump was the original champion for the TikTok ban, so it makes it difficult for his fellow Republicans to now have another opinion, one DC insider who requested anonymity said. Trump can get away with that, but they certainly can’t.”

While softening his rhetoric toward TikTok, Trump has appointed several China hawks and outspoken TikTok critics to key Cabinet and government agency positions.

That includes Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, Under Secretary of State nominee Jacob Helberg, incoming US Ambassador to the United Nations Elise Stefanik and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.

Its possible that Trump will seek to use TikTok as a bargaining chip as part of broader negotiations with China, according to Nathan Leamer, a former FCC policy adviser and CEO of Fixed Gear Strategies.

With Trump in office, its a whole new ballgame to hold China accountable, Leamer said. TikTok is an arrow in his quiver. Maybe they do make a deal for the CCP to divest. No one is against the platform if its separate from ownership by a totalitarian state.

Continue Reading

Politics

Progressives are losing the crypto future

Published

on

By

Progressives are losing the crypto future

Progressives are losing the crypto future

As US conservatives rapidly shape the crypto landscape through policy, funding and grassroots adoption, progressives remain divided and hesitant. Progressives lack a unified strategy and risk losing relevance.

Continue Reading

Environment

Anker PowerCore Reserve station $88, Schumacher’s new portable level 1 EV charger $130, Aiper IrriSense system $100 off, more

Published

on

By

Anker PowerCore Reserve station , Schumacher's new portable level 1 EV charger 0, Aiper IrriSense system 0 off, more

This week’s Green Deals are starting with Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Station down at $88 for all your device-charging needs. Next, we have Schumacher’s new SEV1670 12A Level 1 Portable EV Charger at its second-best rate of $130, as well as Aiper’s new IrriSense Smart Irrigation System getting second-ever savings to $600, which is where it was priced during Prime Day. We also have Hoverfly’s H3 16-inch Folding e-bikes getting add-on accessory bundles and a new one-day-only low price on Greenworks’ pro-grade 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer waiting for you below. Plus, there’s all the hangover savings from last week at the bottom of the page, collected together within our Electrified Weekly roundup.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Carry Anker’s 60,000mAh PowerCore Reserve station and keep devices running for $88

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station at $87.99 shipped, with it also coming in a few dollars under the brand’s current direct pricing. Normally costing $150 at full price, we’ve mostly seen discounts over the last year dropping costs between $110 and $90, though there have been a few select falls to $80, and recently we saw Prime Day take things to $75. While it may not be the new lowest price, you’re still looking at the third-best rate we have tracked, saving you $62 off the going rate while equipping you with a sizably reliable means to keep your personal devices juiced up and running.

Anker’s PowerCore Reserve power station, which you’ll also find sold under the name 548 Power Bank, is a five-pound backup power solution to top off personal devices with while you’re camping, cruising the roadways, hanging out on the beach, and much more. You’ll have a totable 60,000mAh/192Wh battery capacity here that beats out most power banks on the market while also delivering up to 60W speeds through either its two USB-A ports or two USB-C ports.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Aside from its easy-to-carry design, it also comes sporting a convenient pop-up light for when you’re out in the dark of the wilderness or even without power at home, coming with two brightness levels alongside an S.O.S. mode to signal for help in emergencies. You can completely recharge its battery by plugging it into a wall outlet or by utilizing up to its 60W solar input to charge via the sun.

schumacher SEV1670 level 1 portable EV charger lying in back of car

Schumacher’s 2025 level 1 portable EV charger plugs into any 120V outlet for on-the-go power at $130

Amazon is now offering the new Schumacher SEV1670 12A Level 1 Portable EV Charger at $129.59 shipped. This model hit the scene at the tail-end of May with a $160 price tag, which has only recently started seeing discounts, with the biggest of them being from the Prime Day sale event two weeks ago that saw the costs taken down to $128. Today’s deal comes in just $2 above that rate for the second-best pricing we have tracked, all while giving you $30 in savings.

If you want to learn more about this new model and its capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Aiper IrriSense smart irrigation system watering lawn in front of house

Aiper’s new IrriSense smart irrigation system covers up to 4,800 square feet at $600 (second-ever discount)

Coming to us through its official Amazon storefront, Aiper is offering the second-ever discount on its new IrriSense Smart Irrigation System back to $599.99 shipped, matching directly from the brand’s website. This new smart irrigation device has only been on the market since May, with it usually going for $700 outside of the two price cuts we’ve seen. It first dropped to this same rate the day before Prime Day began, and hung on to the savings through the four-day event. Now, it’s coming back for a post-Prime second chance, saving you $100 while upgrading your lawn care routine with a smarter alternative.

If you want to learn more about this new smart device, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man and woman riding side by side on Hoverfly H3 folding e-bikes

Hoverfly’s H3 16-inch folding e-bikes make great first-time rides with four add-on accessories starting from $406

Amazon is offering quite the affordable bundle on Hoverfly’s H3 16-inch Folding e-bike in its orange colorway, and coming with four add-on accessories at $406.09 shipped, while its other colorways are seeing smaller discounts at higher rates. It’s dropping down from the $580 price tag today, with this being the first time we’ve spotted this particular bundle dropping so low. Before the fall to $425 during Prime Day, we only ever saw costs fall as low as $450, with all those rates beaten by the 30% markdown here that gives you $174 in savings and a new all-time low price. Along with the bike, you’ll be getting a front carrier bag, a rear cargo basket, a phone holder, and a rearview mirror to upgrade and elevate your experience.

If you want to learn more about this budget-friendly e-bike, be sure to check out our original coverage of this bundle deal here.

greenworks pro 3,000 PSI electric pressure washer

Greenworks’ Pro-grade 3,000 PSI vertical electric pressure washer falls to lowest price tracked at $285 (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the best pricing yet on the newer Greenworks Pro 3,000 PSI Vertical Electric Pressure Washer for $284.99 shipped, with it beating out the brand’s direct website pricing while the closest match at Amazon is the newest counterpart that normally goes for $450. This model would normally run you $400 at full price, which we’ve seen discounts so far take as low as $300. For the rest of the day, you can take advantage of the 29% markdown here to pick it up at the best new price we have tracked, saving you $115 in the process.

If you want to learn more about this newer pro-grade outdoor cleaning solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this one-day-only deal here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Hyundai goes on a ‘full-scale attack’ with its big three-row EV

Published

on

By

Hyundai goes on a 'full-scale attack' with its big three-row EV

Hyundai is gearing up to go on a “full-scale attack” as it ramps up exports of its new flagship three-row EV. The IONIQ 9 is now rolling out in the US, South Korea, and Europe.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 three-row EV production picks up

After launching the IONIQ 9 in South Korea earlier this year, Hyundai had high hopes. However, the flagship electric SUV has struggled to gain traction in the automaker’s home market.

Hyundai is betting on overseas markets, including the US and Europe, to drive sales. In Korea, it has been steadily ramping up IONIQ 9 with plans to go on a “full-scale attack on Europe.”

An industry insider explained (via NewsIs) that “As Hyundai Motor Company speeds up its entry into overseas markets with the Ioniq 9, export volume will increase rapidly.”

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Since it shipped the first models in April, IONIQ 9 exports have tripled. In June, Hyundai exported 1,781, up from 1,482 in May and 539 in April. The higher exports are in preparation for sales kicking off in Europe. Hyundai revealed last week that the IONIQ 9 will start at £64,995 ($87,500).

Powered by a 110 kWh battery, the three-row EV features a WLTP driving range of up to 385 miles. On the EPA scale, it’s rated with up to 335 miles of driving range.

Hyundai-three-row-EV
Hyundai IONIQ 9 at the Munich airport (Source: Hyundai)

Europe is not the only market that Hyundai is taking aim at. The automaker is using a two-track strategy. In the US, Hyundai builds the IONIQ 9 at its new EV plant in Georgia, alongside the updated 2025 IONIQ 5.

Production has been steady at Hyundai’s Metaplant America (HMGMA) plant since it began in April. Hyundai built 2,382 IONIQ 9 models in May and another 1,803 in June. Through June 2025, 1,013 Hyundai IONIQ 9 models have been sold in the US.

Hyundai-three-row-EV
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 (Source: Hyundai)

With IONIQ 9 sales falling from 1,009 in April to 867 in May and then to 767 in June, Hyundai is betting on the US and Europe to make up for the shortfall.

After promising to maintain prices in the US earlier this year, Hyundai has stood by the guarantee. The 2026 IONIQ 9 (see our review of it) is surprisingly affordable with leases starting at just $419 per month.

Hyundai’s new and improved 2025 IONIQ 5 may take the cake as the best EV deal right now, listed with leases as low as $179 per month. To get owners started, it also offers a free ChargePoint L2 home charger with the purchase or lease of any new 2026 IONIQ 9 or 2025 IONIQ 5.

Want to see one for yourself? Use the links below to find 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9 models in your area.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending