WASHINGTON, USA – Less than 12 hours after TikTok went offline in the United States due to a federal ban, the app returned for millions of users on Sunday, January 19, 2025, morning.
The restoration followed a dramatic intervention by President-elect Donald Trump, who announced plans to delay enforcement of the ban after his inauguration on Monday.
TikTok welcomed users back with a notification reading, “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
A Sudden Shutdown and Swift Reinstatement
The app’s brief disappearance late Saturday night came after months of uncertainty surrounding a U.S. law banning TikTok over national security concerns tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
When users attempted to open TikTok, they were greeted with a message stating, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
ByteDance subsidiaries Lemon8 and CapCut were also removed from Apple and Google app stores.
Early Sunday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he planned to issue an executive order delaying the ban’s enforcement.
Within hours, TikTok services began to return. The company issued a statement thanking Trump for his efforts:
“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 and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”
TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” on Sunday night and sit prominently at his inauguration on Monday.
TikTok’s Future in the U.S.
While Trump’s intervention temporarily restored access to the app, securing its long-term future remains uncertain.
The president-elect has proposed a 90-day delay to allow ByteDance to negotiate a sale to a U.S.-based owner or form a joint venture.
Trump suggested a 50-50 ownership model between ByteDance and an American buyer.
“Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Political and Legal Hurdles
The law banning TikTok, signed by outgoing President Joe Biden in April 2024, passed with bipartisan support.
It mandated ByteDance sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a shutdown.
While Trump’s executive order could temporarily delay enforcement, legal experts caution that it cannot override the law itself.
Republican Senators Tom Cotton (Arkansas) and Pete Ricketts (Nebraska) criticised Trump’s move, stating:
“TikTok should only come back online by severing all ties between TikTok and Communist China. Only then will Americans be protected from the grave threat posed to their privacy and security by a communist-controlled TikTok.”
The Fight for a Permanent Solution
Two potential buyers—billionaire Frank McCourt and “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary—have reportedly submitted bids to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations.
However, ByteDance has resisted selling, citing the value of its algorithm, which drives TikTok’s success.
Another report suggests that Elon Musk could be a potential buyer, though he has yet to confirm any interest. Musk has publicly opposed the TikTok ban, calling it a violation of free speech.
Cultural Impact of TikTok’s Brief Absence
TikTok’s brief shutdown highlighted the platform’s significant cultural and economic impact.
Many users, including influencers who depend on the app for their livelihood, described the experience as surreal and heartbreaking.
“This platform is more than an app or a job to me. I have so many memories on here,” influencer Alix Earle said in a tearful farewell video before the app’s return.
When TikTok services resumed, users like Shannon Lange celebrated with posts expressing relief. “Longest 13 hours of my life,” Lange wrote in a video caption.
Looking Ahead
TikTok’s restoration offers temporary relief for its 170 million U.S. users and over 7 million businesses that rely on the platform.
However, its long-term survival depends on resolving the legal and political challenges surrounding ByteDance’s ownership.
With Trump promising to “SAVE TIKTOK,” the app’s fate remains a pivotal issue as his administration takes office.
For now, TikTok users are savouring its return but remain uncertain about its future.
