TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer has resigned just three months after joining the company according to reports from Rolling Stone.
Mayer’s resignation comes as TikTok’s future remains uncertain as President Trump has repeatedly explored a potential ban of the Chinese-owned app in the U.S. over alleged national security threats.
Mayer joined TikTok in May, previously serving as Disney’s chairman of direct-to-consumer and international, and he helped with the successful launch of Disney+ and ESPN+ along with integrating the two apps in a package offering with Hulu.
Mayer announced his departure through an emailed letter to employees Thursday evening. In the letter, obtained by Rolling Stone, Mayer points out the rapidly changing political environment TikTok has faced since he joined the company. Vanessa Pappas, TikTok’s U.S. general manager, will run the company on an interim basis, Mayer said.
“In recent weeks, as the political environment has sharply changed, I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for,” Mayer wrote.
“Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company.”
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