TikTok users in the United States can breathe a sigh of relief after the app resumed operations on Sunday, following a temporary shutdown due to a national security-related ban. All thanks to President-Elect Trump.
The reversal came after President-Elect Trump intervened with plans to delay enforcement of the law, set to take effect Saturday.
The popular video-sharing platform, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, went offline as a Supreme Court decision upheld legislation banning the app unless ByteDance sold its US subsidiary. Millions of users were left dismayed during the blackout, which ended Sunday afternoon.
President-Elect Trump, who will officially take office on Monday, announced via his Truth Social platform that he would issue an executive order extending the deadline to “allow time to make a deal.” He also proposed a unique resolution—offering the United States a 50% ownership stake in TikTok through a joint venture.
“We save TikTok and keep it in good hands,” Trump wrote, emphasizing the app’s potential to grow into a trillion-dollar enterprise.
TikTok acknowledged the president-elect’s efforts in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter: “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties for providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans.”
Despite its restored service, TikTok has not addressed President-Elect Trump’s ownership proposal. ByteDance continues to resist selling its US operations, even as Oracle and other tech giants express interest in acquisitions or mergers.
Broader Implications
The law banning TikTok allows for a 90-day delay if the White House demonstrates progress toward a sale, but experts warn the legislation’s design limits presidential influence.
Industry leaders and lawmakers remain divided, with some applauding the decision to safeguard national security, while others question the impact on freedom of expression.
American tennis star Coco Gauff echoed the sentiments of many TikTok fans, saying, “I love TikTok… hopefully, it comes back,” after marking the app’s suspension during her match at the Australian Open.
As TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance, global scrutiny grows, with calls for similar bans in Europe and beyond. Whether Trump’s unconventional strategy will secure the app’s future in the US remains to be seen.