As the U.S. TikTok sell-off bill approaches, many Americans remain optimistic that the app will continue to operate, despite ongoing political and legal disputes surrounding the issue.

In April, the U.S. Senate approved a bill that would require TikTok to be sold to a U.S. owner or face a ban if it refuses to comply. Chinese government officials have indicated their opposition to any sale of the app, suggesting that TikTok may face a full ban in the U.S., potentially starting early next year.

However, new data from Pew Research reveals that half of Americans do not actually believe TikTok will be banned in the country.

According to Pew Research:

“The percentage of Americans supporting a U.S. government ban on TikTok has fallen to 32%, down from 38% in the fall of 2023 and 50% in March 2023. Conversely, 28% of Americans now oppose a ban, an increase from 22% in March 2023.”

This shift indicates that more people are becoming sympathetic to TikTok or viewing it as less of a concern over time.

This change in sentiment may be influenced, at least in part, by prominent figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk expressing their opposition to a TikTok ban. Both Trump and Musk have their own reasons for their stances, but their significant supporter bases likely contribute to the evolving public opinion on the sell-off bill.

It’s important to clarify that this is a forced sell-off rather than an outright ban. U.S. senators have voted to require TikTok to be sold to a U.S. buyer to sever its ties with the Chinese Communist Party (C.C.P.). The primary concern is that TikTok could be utilized as a propaganda tool for the Chinese government, although TikTok asserts that it does not implement policies based on directives from Chinese leadership.

However, U.S. senators, informed by intelligence and security officials about the potential threats posed by the app, have shown strong support for the sell-off bill, indicating there are valid concerns, even if specific details shared with the public have been limited.

Now, it remains to be seen if TikTok's legal challenge against the bill will be successful. Despite shifting public opinion, it appears likely that TikTok may face a ban in the U.S. in the near future, though a change in government could also affect the situation.