Trump Promises to Revive TikTok, Website Restored for Some US Users
Over the weekend, TikTok faced an unprecedented interruption for its 170 million American users. The app suddenly stopped functioning late Saturday night, just before a law aimed at shutting down the platform on national security grounds came into effect on Sunday. Concerns had been raised by U.S. officials about the potential misuse of American data by TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Former President Trump announced he would step in to delay the restrictions imposed by the new law. “I am extending the period before the law’s prohibitions take effect, allowing us time to reach a deal to protect our national security,” he stated, adding his intention for the United States to hold a 50% ownership stake in a potential joint venture.
This development marks a significant shift from Trump’s initial approach during his first term. Back in 2020, his administration pursued an outright ban on TikTok due to concerns over personal data being accessed by the Chinese government. However, in a recent change of heart, Trump expressed a newfound appreciation for the platform, acknowledging its role in engaging young voters during the 2024 election cycle.
With Trump suggesting he might offer TikTok a 90-day grace period upon taking office, TikTok communicated this potential reprieve to its users via an app notification. “A new law has led to TikTok being temporarily inaccessible in the United States. We are hopeful as President Trump intends to collaborate with us for a resolution and reinstatement once he takes office. Stay tuned,” the message read.
The cessation of TikTok’s services in the U.S., albeit temporary, could have far-reaching implications, affecting diplomatic relations with China, altering the landscape of social media, and economically impacting millions of Americans who rely on the app for entertainment, income, and creativity.
The ban allows the coming Trump administration broad powers to block or negotiate the sale of other Chinese-owned applications. In addition to TikTok, other apps under ByteDance ownership, such as CapCut and Lemon8, have experienced similar outages for U.S. users.
This legislative move has not gone without criticism—most notably from China’s diplomatic representatives in Washington who accused the U.S. of leveraging undue state power against TikTok, vowing to “take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of rightful interests.”
Political figures like Elon Musk have voiced opposition, highlighting the absence of reciprocal access for U.S. apps in China and advocating for freedom of speech. Meanwhile, the uncertainty surrounding TikTok saw users migrate to alternative platforms such as RedNote, sparking speculation among investors regarding shifts in user bases and advertising revenue.
With the app’s sudden shutdown, TikTok enthusiasts quickly turned to X, formerly known as Twitter, and other social networks to express their discontent and nostalgia. A surge in searches for VPN services also indicated that users were exploring workarounds to regain access to the app.
Concerns over TikTok Shop and its associated merchandise deliveries added to the anxiety experienced by many users and businesses who depend on it for e-commerce transactions. Similarly, marketing agencies that had deeply integrated TikTok into their strategies were prompted to devise swift contingency plans.
Prospective buyers have emerged in light of TikTok’s predicament. Speculations about corporate acquisitions include interest from prominent names in the business world, alongside discussions that may involve tech giants like Elon Musk. Additionally, there have been reports of a bid from U.S. startup Perplexity AI to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations, although no formal developments have been confirmed.
As ByteDance navigates these turbulent waters, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain but promising, with its parent company’s significant institutional backing and a large domestic workforce.