TikTok faced a potential nationwide ban in the United States as of January 19. The U.S. Supreme Court approved a law on Friday that threatened to block the platform unless its parent company, ByteDance, found a new owner due to allegations of espionage. Consequently, American users were unable to access the app for part of the weekend. Upon launching the app, they were greeted with a message explaining the situation. However, TikTok has since resumed operations in the U.S. over the past few hours.
Trump Steps In as a Possible Savior for TikTok
Could Donald Trump be TikTok’s saving grace? Shortly after the app’s temporary suspension in the U.S., TikTok posted a hopeful message on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“In coordination with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring its services. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will not face penalties for supporting TikTok’s access to over 170 million Americans and enabling more than 7 million small businesses to thrive. This is a strong stance for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution to keep TikTok in the U.S.,” the statement read.
A Long-Term Solution on the Horizon?
Following his inauguration on Monday, January 20, President Trump plans to issue an executive order granting TikTok a grace period of several weeks to secure a new ownership structure. Trump has even proposed a potential solution: 50% of TikTok’s shares would be owned by the United States, while the remaining shares would be acquired by a buyer selected by his administration.
“With this plan, we will save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and ensure its growth. Without U.S. approval, TikTok cannot exist,” Trump declared.
Musk Denies Acquisition Rumors, Apple Removes TikTok from App Store
Rumors briefly swirled that Elon Musk might step in to acquire a stake in TikTok. However, a spokesperson for the platform quickly dismissed this speculation. Meanwhile, Apple, complying with the law enacted over the weekend, removed TikTok from the App Store.
If President Trump follows through on his promise, TikTok could soon return to Apple’s app marketplace, ensuring that the social media platform beloved by millions of young users remains accessible in the United States.
