TikTok Restores Service In United States Following Donald Trump’s Intervention

TikTok has restored access to its 170 million users in the United States after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to delay a recently enacted ban on the app.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Chinese-owned platform had gone offline Saturday evening after a law banning it on national security grounds took effect.

On Sunday, Trump pledged to issue an executive order on his first day in office to postpone the ban, allowing time for negotiations to address security concerns.

Shortly after, TikTok restored its services, thanking Trump for providing clarity and pledging to work with his administration on a long-term solution to remain in the U.S.

In a statement posted on X following Trump’s comments, TikTok said it “is in the process of restoring service.”

“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans.”

TikTok, which was back online in the U.S by Sunday afternoon, did not address Trump’s call for part American ownership of the app.

TikTok CEO, Shou Chew is expected to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged companies to support TikTok, assuring them that his executive order would shield them from liability if they helped the platform stay operational.

He wrote, “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”

The app’s parent company, ByteDance, had previously refused to sell its U.S. operations to avoid the ban.

The law, passed last April and upheld by the Supreme Court last week, requires ByteDance to divest its U.S. business or face restrictions.

While the Biden administration had already indicated it would not enforce the law during its final days, TikTok preemptively shut down access until Trump’s intervention.

This marks a shift in Trump’s stance, as he had previously supported banning TikTok, citing security risks tied to its Chinese ownership.

However, he has recently expressed appreciation for the platform, which played a significant role in his campaign outreach to younger voters.

Despite the app going live again, legal uncertainties remain.

Senator Tom Cotton and other lawmakers have warned companies that supporting TikTok could lead to severe legal repercussions under the new law.

Additionally, several states have filed lawsuits, raising the possibility of localized bans even if TikTok operates nationally.

Experts note that the law includes a provision allowing the president to delay its enforcement for up to 90 days if the company demonstrates substantial progress in addressing security concerns.

However, it remains unclear whether ByteDance has met these conditions. Legal challenges could arise if Trump’s executive order is seen as overstepping his authority.

For now, TikTok users in the U.S. can access the platform again, but the app’s long-term future hinges on negotiations and potential court rulings.

KanyiDaily recalls that Donald Trump and his family arrived in Washington on the evening of January 18, 2025, to kick off celebrations ahead of his inauguration on Monday.