Come January 2025, things are going to change in more than one way in the country. On Jan. 20th, Donald Trump will take office at the presidential inauguration, legally assuming the role of president. Just a day before, 19th Jan is the last day for Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok, otherwise making it illegal for distribution in the U.S. And USC star JuJu Watkins is in disbelief.

On the Good Game With Sarah Spain podcast, the host asks near the end of the podcast, “It might be a tough one because we’re all looking into the future to figure out what might be next. But we might have to say goodbye to TikTok. What are you gonna do and what platform are you jumping ship to if TikTok goes away?”

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act signed by President Joe Biden earlier this Spring will make TikTok unavailable on the Apple App Store and Google Play. But Watkins said on the podcast, “TikTok is my last hope for society…(If not for that) I’m deleting social media as a whole. You don’t understand. Hopefully, we can figure it out as a nation.”

For those like the USC guard, who already have TikTok downloaded on their devices would still be able to use the app. But the ban on distribution would mean current users would not be able to install future software updates. It will be a huge change if the legislation does pass. “…Over 170 million Americans here in the U.S. and around the world will be silenced on Jan. 19, 2025, unless the TikTok ban is halted,” as one spokesperson told USA TODAY.

The only relief could come from the new President-elect, who has yet to make a substantial decision on the ban. Per the Business Standard, Trump has promised to stage an intervention on the ban, but no details have been revealed yet. He told USA TODAY, “Tiktok had an impact, and so we’re taking a look at it. I have a little bit of a warm spot in my heart. I’ll be honest.” 

If Trump can in fact help stop this ban, it would be huge for users like Watkins, who have stated her love for the app before.

JuJu Watkins’s digital haven: TikTok

Handling life as a pro athlete in making while also majoring in communications means JuJu Watkins needs a space for herself. When basketball great Cheryl Miller asked her that question back in March, the Trojans guard said no. Fast forward to July, and Watkins did have an answer, balancing the grind with vacation. There’s also always time on social media to relax.

Hearing JuJu Watkins’ answer to her TikTok question, Spain also said, “No contingency plans, she’s just holding fast to the fact that they will not take her TikTok away. She doesn’t even wanna picture a future without it. I don’t blame you.”

It’s in line with what Watkins had said about the platform once before in an interview with Mashable, “I love TikTok. Whenever I’m chilling, I’ll just scroll. I usually find up-and-coming artists that way, like this one called Skaiwater. In terms of what I’m listening to right now, Kaytranada dropped an album that I was a fan of. I think I’m generally in an up tempo mood because it’s summer.”

The USC sophomore is trying her best to live up to the hype her freshman year created around her. Although the Trojans have been struggling a bit as of late, especially with Watkins’ ugly ankle roll from a few days ago. But this squad is nothing if not consistent in coming up strong.