NEW DELHI: Amidst the global political ousting of TikTok, including in the US, its CEO Kevin Mayer has announced his departure from the company with a letter addressed to the employees, reported Financial Times. Vanesa Pappas, who is currently general manager of TikTok, will become the interim head. 

Mayer had ended his 15-year-long stint with Disney to join TikTok in May this year. 

According to reports, Mayer wrote in his letter, “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. 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.”

He added, “I understand that the role that I signed up for — including running TikTok globally — will look very different as a result of the US administration's action to push for a sell-off of the US business.”

“We appreciate that the political dynamics of the last few months have significantly changed what the scope of Kevin's role would be going forward, and fully respect his decision. We thank him for his time at the company and wish him well,” TikTok said in a statement to the FT.

Over the last few weeks, TikTok has been under tremendous pressure from the Trump administration. Donald Trump demanded that the app should be banned in the US as it poses a national security threat because of its China ownership.