Trump takes victory lap ahead of inauguration with Washington DC rally: Live updates

David Maddox, The independent‘s political editor, reporting from Washington, DC

Skeptics have highlighted how Trump was the one who initially called for the controversial Chinese-owned social media app to be banned in 2020. But since Trump’s TikTok following grew – he now has amassed 14.8 million followers – and he hinted , that it helped maintain elections, the president-elect has changed his tune.

Rhian Lubin and John Bowden report.

President-elect Donald Trump is not one to downplay expectations, whether for himself or the United States. And he raises the expectations of others accordingly. His re-emergence on the world stage after his victory in last year’s election led to urgent changes in international dynamics with national leaders around the world, just in anticipation. As of Monday afternoon, Trump’s power is real. With that comes promise – and danger.

Vice President-elect JD Vance met with his Chinese counterpart, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China Han Zheng this morning.

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump crowded the streets of Washington, DC at lunchtime Sunday as they waited to enter the Capitol One Arena for the “Make America Great Again Victory Rally,” which gets underway at 15 A.M.

Decked out in red, white and blue or wearing t-shirts, flags and hats emblazoned with Trump’s name, the crowd remained cheering, even in the cold and damp weather.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will leave the White House on January 20, marking the end of the president’s 50 years in politics.

But Biden, 82, insists he’s not quite ready to retire to a slow retirement just yet. In interviews, the president has indicated that he still has work to do to improve the lives of Americans. Jill Biden, 73, has similarly dedicated her life to others through education, but she has kept quiet about her next chapter after the White House.

What is certain is that the Bidens will almost certainly return to their homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where they spend time with family.

Here’s what else could be in store for Joe and Jill Biden.

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned not to “coddle the White House” as a new poll shows almost two in three Labor voters believe he should build closer economic and security ties with Europe when Donald Trump returns to power.

Kate Devlin, The independent‘s Whitehall Editor, reporting from London.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton is pushing back on the return of TikTok after it went dark in the US for less than a day, and went against President-elect Donald Trump.

He also challenged the legality of Trump’s call for common American ownership, a 90-day extension and legal cover for companies that bring it back online through their app stores

In response to the company’s statement that it was restoring service, Senator X wrote: “Any company that hosts, distributes, services, or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face hundreds of billions of dollars in destructive liability under the law, not only from the DOJ, but also under securities law, shareholder lawsuits, and state AGs.” is. Think about it.”

Here is his previous statement from when the app went offline:

This morning the president-elect posted on Truth Social:

I am asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period before the law’s ban goes into effect so we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped prevent TikTok from going dark before my order.

Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations.

I would like the US to have a 50% stake in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and let it quit. Without US approval, there is no Tik Tok. With our approval, it’s worth hundreds of billions of dollars—perhaps trillions.

Therefore, my first thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the US gets 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the US and whichever purchase we choose.