TikTok shut down in America on Saturday night – a day before the U.S. ban was set to take effect. Distraught TikTok users flooded other social media apps to vent their anger and frustration.
Users who tried to log into TikTok on Saturday night were met with a pop-up that read: “Sorry, TikTik isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, then thanked President-elect Donald Trump who vowed to sign an executive order giving TikTok a 90-day extension on Monday.
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!” ByteDance said.
On Sunday, ByteDance posted a new message to users.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. 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.”
Shortly afterwards, TikTok resumed service.
In a message on his Truth Social app, Trump confirmed that he will give TikTok a 90-day extension on Monday. He also said the U.S. will have 50% ownership of TikTok in a joint venture.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called TikTok’s service disruption “a stunt” to force Trump’s hand.
“We have seen the most recent statement from TikTok. It is a stunt, and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday,” she said.
“We have laid out our position clearly and straightforwardly: actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration. So TikTok and other companies should take up any concerns with them,” Jean-Pierre added.
President Joe Biden signed the law last April requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. buyer or face a complete shut down nationwide on Jan. 19.
Before departing office, Biden said he would leave TikTok’s fate in Trump’s hands.
However, X (Twitter) users reminded TikTok creators that it was Trump’s idea to ban TikTok in 2020.
It's his fault it was banned in the first place pic.twitter.com/wgtLU8DCWD
— SMS ? ? ? ? (@shanmichele27) January 19, 2025
