October Term 2024 · Docket 24-656
Does a U.S. law forcing TikTok to sell violate the First Amendment?
TikTok argues the law bans its speech. The government says the law protects national security.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
TikTok's counsel argued the law shuts down a speech platform.
The government's counsel argued Chinese control poses a grave threat.
TikTok's counsel argued content manipulation taints data security claims.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 13-51 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 13-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 55-29 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 55-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 53-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 53-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 45-17 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 45-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 148, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 148, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 173, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 173, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
TikTok seeks to keep operating in the U.S. The government seeks to force a sale.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 173, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 173, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-15
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 10, 2025.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 13-51 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 13-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-31
What each side wants
TikTok wants to keep operating in the U.S.
The government wants to force a sale of TikTok
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 173, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 173, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-15
What each side says
TikTok argues the law bans its speech.
The government argues the law protects national security.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 173, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 173, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-15
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked about TikTok's U.S. status.
Justice Thomas asked about TikTok's specific speech.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 13-51 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 13-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 55-29 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 55-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 53-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 53-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 45-17 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 45-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 148, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 148, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-7
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of government power over speech platforms. It balances national security against free expression. The outcome shapes future regulation of digital media.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 173, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 173, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-15
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 13-51 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 13-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 55-29 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 55-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 53-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 53-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 45-17 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 45-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 148, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 148, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-51 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 49-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 83, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 83, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-7
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 173, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 173, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 118, lines 19-43 — Transcript, file page 118, lines 19-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 173, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 173, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 41-15
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.