TikTok started to reinstate its services on Sunday following remarks from President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged to restore access to the popular app in the United States upon his inauguration on Monday.
At a rally on Sunday, Trump stated, “Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it,” asserting that the US would pursue a joint venture to bring back the short-video sharing platform, which boasts 170 million American users.
In a message directed at users shortly before the rally, TikTok announced: “Thanks to President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US.”
The platform had sent out earlier communications after reports emerged that US users could access its website, while some users found limited functionalities of the app returning. However, as of Sunday evening, TikTok remained unavailable for download on US app stores.
“In coordination with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company stated in its earlier announcement, expressing gratitude to 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 and supporting over seven million small businesses.”
This expression of thanks from TikTok comes at a critical juncture in US-China relations, as Trump intends to impose tariffs on Chinese imports while simultaneously seeking more direct engagement with China’s leadership.
On Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Washington accused the US of employing unfair tactics to suppress TikTok. A spokesperson stated, “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
TikTok ceased functioning for US users late Saturday, just before the enactment of legislation intended to shut down the app on national security grounds. US officials had expressed concerns regarding the potential misuse of American users’ data under its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Trump has indicated that he would “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect to negotiate a deal protecting our national security.”
On his Truth Social platform, he expressed a desire for the United States to have a 50 percent ownership stake in a newly formed joint venture.
He also noted that the upcoming executive order would eliminate any liability for companies assisting in keeping TikTok operational prior to his directives.
While Trump had previously signaled he would grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban once in office, the app informed users via a message that a law banning TikTok had been enacted in the US, necessitating its temporary suspension. The message assured users that Trump aims to facilitate a resolution for reinstating the app once inaugurated.
In 2020, Trump’s administration had pursued a ban on TikTok over worries that user data could be relayed to the Chinese government. However, in a shift in tone, he has recently expressed support for the platform, claiming it contributed positively to his engagement with young voters in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
Trump once signed an executive order mandating that ByteDance sell TikTok within 90 days but later approved a deal structured as a partnership involving Oracle and Walmart, rather than a complete divestment.
Not all members of the Republican Party support the efforts to bypass the law to “Save TikTok.” Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts declared in a joint statement that, given the law’s enactment, there is no valid justification for any delay in its application. They emphasized that for TikTok to resume operations, ByteDance must comply with legal requirements that sever its connections to the Chinese government.
The US has never fully banned a major social media platform, but the law passed by Congress grants the incoming Trump administration extensive authority to prohibit or negotiate the sale of additional Chinese-owned applications.
As of late Saturday, other apps owned by ByteDance, including video editing app CapCut and social platform Lemon8, were also rendered unavailable in US app stores.
Apple and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
‘Hair on Fire’ Moment
Following the loss of access to TikTok, searches for “VPN” surged, according to Google Trends.
Instagram users expressed concerns over whether they would still receive items purchased through TikTok Shop, the app’s e-commerce feature.
Marketing professionals who depend on TikTok scrambled to devise contingency plans, with one executive describing it as a “hair on fire” moment in light of the widespread belief that a solution would soon emerge to keep the app operational.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend the US presidential inauguration and a rally with Trump on Sunday, according to a source.
Potential buyers, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in TikTok, which is estimated to be valued at as much as $50 billion. Reports indicate that Beijing has also considered selling TikTok’s US operations to billionaire and Trump associate Elon Musk, though the company has denied these discussions.
On Saturday, US search engine startup Perplexity AI made a bid to ByteDance to merge with TikTok US, intending to create a new entity through partnerships with other stakeholders.
Privately held ByteDance is predominantly owned by institutional investors such as BlackRock and General Atlantic, with founders and employees holding an equal portion of ownership. The firm employs over 7,000 individuals in the United States.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
