President-elect Donald Trump is mulling giving TikTok a 90-day extension when he takes office on Monday as the deadline for a potential ban rapidly approaches. 

Mr. Trump told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Saturday that he would “most likely” give the social media platform some breathing room ahead of the Sunday deadline for TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell to a non-Chinese firm or face a ban in the U.S.

“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at,” Mr. Trump said. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation.”

He added, “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

Mr. Trump’s floating of possibly saving the app, albeit briefly, comes after the Supreme Court upheld the law requiring the sale or closure of TikTok, and simultaneously shot down the platform’s First Amendment claims and a plea from Mr. Trump. 

The court’s ruling means that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, must sell the platform by Sunday, otherwise, U.S. app stores and companies will have to remove it.

SEE ALSO: Supreme Court upholds law forcing sale or closure of TikTok

The forced divestiture or ban would go into effect one day before Mr. Trump is inaugurated. The law does allow for a 90-day extension, but the lapse in time likely means TikTok will go dark for a few hours even if Mr. Trump grants the leeway. 

The law also stipulated that the president can call for a 90-day extension if three markers are met: ByteDance has a plan to divest, significant progress is made on divestment and legally binding agreements are in place to guarantee divestment within the extension. 

Yet ByteDance has repeatedly vowed not to sell TikTok.  

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has opted to punt enforcement of the law onto the incoming Trump administration while the Justice Department cheered the court’s decision. 

In a statement on Friday, TikTok said the sentiments from the White House and DOJ “have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability to over 170 million Americans.”

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.