On Sunday, TikTok started to restore its services after President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would enable the app’s access in the U.S. once he assumed office the following day. During a rally, Trump expressed, “We have no choice. We have to save it,” and detailed plans for a joint venture aimed at ensuring the app’s continuity for the 170 million American users.
In a timely message to its audience, TikTok confirmed the restoration of its service, crediting “President Trump’s efforts” for this development. Prior to the rally, users reported intermittent access to the TikTok website, while some functionalities of the app began to return to certain users. However, as of Sunday evening, the app remained unavailable for download through U.S. app stores. TikTok conveyed that it was working closely with its service providers to reinstate its full functionality and expressed gratitude to Trump for providing reassurance that there would be no repercussions for offering the app to American users, which supports millions of small businesses.
This public acknowledgment of Trump’s role came at a delicate juncture in U.S.-China relations, particularly as Trump planned to impose tariffs on China while also seeking closer communication with its leaders. The Chinese Embassy in Washington criticized the U.S. for allegedly using unfair tactics to hinder TikTok’s operations, asserting that China would take all necessary measures to protect its interests.
TikTok became inoperable for U.S. users late Saturday after a law aimed at national security concerns took effect. Officials had warned that the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, posed potential risks regarding American data. Trump stated he would delay the law’s restrictions to facilitate a deal to safeguard U.S. interests. He also expressed a desire for a 50% stake in a new partnership regarding TikTok, emphasizing that companies assisting in maintaining the app’s operation before the law’s implementation would face no liability.
This approach marks a significant shift for Trump, considering his previous stance in 2020, when he sought to ban the app over security fears linked to user data potentially being shared with the Chinese government. Recently, however, he acknowledged the platform’s importance in connecting with younger voters in the 2024 election.
While Trump’s push to preserve TikTok resonated with some, not all members of the Republican Party were on board. Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts condemned the efforts to circumvent the law, asserting that for TikTok to return, ByteDance must divest its connections to China to comply with legal requirements.
The passage of this law is unprecedented, as the U.S. has never enforced a ban on a major social media platform. It provides the incoming Trump administration extensive authority to restrict or demand the sale of other Chinese-owned applications. Other ByteDance platforms, such as the video editing tool CapCut and the social app Lemon8, were likewise unavailable in U.S. app stores as of late Saturday.
In the wake of users losing access to TikTok, there was a notable spike in web searches for VPN services.