TikTok is back online but its ultimate fate in America still lies in Trump’s hands
TikTok is back online but its ultimate fate in America still lies in Trump’s hands
TikTok restored access for American users on Sunday afternoon, following a dramatic 14-hour period when the app had temporarily gone offline. The social media platform thanked former President Donald Trump for playing a role in bringing it back, after he vowed to delay the enforcement of a law that would have required TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban starting Sunday.
Trump, in a Truth Social post on Sunday, said he would sign an executive order on Monday to delay the law’s restrictions, ensuring that a deal could be made to address national security concerns. He also assured that TikTok's technology partners—such as Apple, Google, and Oracle—would not face penalties for continuing to support the app until the order was signed.
"We appreciate President Trump’s clarification and assurance, which allowed us to restore service to our American users," TikTok said in a statement. "We look forward to working with President Trump on a long-term solution that ensures TikTok remains available in the United States."
The app's return was met with relief by its millions of American users. Influencer Shay Sullivan, with 1.1 million followers, expressed her joy after fearing the app might be permanently shut down. "I was crying myself to sleep last night because I felt I lost a community and a job," Sullivan shared with CNN. "Now I’m overjoyed. It's definitely been a roller coaster."
However, TikTok's future in the U.S. is far from certain. The law, passed with bipartisan support and signed by President Joe Biden in April, mandates that ByteDance sell TikTok to an American company or a U.S. ally due to concerns about national security risks. Thus far, ByteDance has publicly resisted selling the app.
Trump suggested a potential solution in which an American buyer would purchase 50% of TikTok and operate the app as a joint venture with ByteDance. It's unclear whether this would satisfy lawmakers who passed the law, including members of Trump’s own party who are wary of foreign control over such a widely used platform.
While the law technically only requires that TikTok’s tech partners—like Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s U.S. content—stop supporting the app to avoid fines, TikTok shut itself down as a precaution. The move appeared to pressure Trump to act swiftly, offering him a chance for a political win with younger voters, although it was Trump who had previously sought to ban TikTok.
In the interim, TikTok informed users of the shutdown through pop-up messages. "We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated he will help us find a solution," the message read. TikTok CEO Shou Chew also expressed gratitude towards Trump, recognizing the president’s understanding of the platform's significance.
Although Trump suggested a 90-day extension to delay the ban on TikTok, his move could face legal challenges. The law allows a delay only if ByteDance is in active negotiations to sell the app. If the company doesn’t agree to a sale, the app could be forced off U.S. app stores.
Interest in buying TikTok’s U.S. assets is growing, with at least two potential buyers—one led by billionaire Frank McCourt and another by "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O’Leary—submitting bids. Reports have also suggested that China might be considering a sale to Elon Musk, although he has not publicly commented on the matter.
Ultimately, TikTok's continued availability in the U.S. hinges on whether ByteDance will agree to a sale and whether the legal and political hurdles surrounding the app can be overcome. Until then, TikTok’s future remains uncertain.
