Just when it looked like TikTok would vanish from the phones of millions of Americans, Donald Trump announced he would sign an executive order pausing its ban—sending the app’s users into a collective sigh of relief. The Chinese-owned platform has now begun restoring service across the United States, only hours after it temporarily went dark.
A Bumpy Weekend for TikTok Fans
On Saturday, many TikTok users discovered they were locked out of the app, greeted by a rather foreboding message announcing that they “can’t use” the service “for now.” The looming ban stemmed from a law signed last April by President Joe Biden, demanding that ByteDance (TikTok’s Chinese parent company) offload its prized asset to a non-Chinese owner—or face a shutdown in the US.
But in a last-minute twist, President-elect Trump hopped onto his social media platform, Truth Social, to declare he would sign an executive order granting TikTok a temporary extension. The goal? To allow ByteDance time to hammer out a deal with a new owner.
“No Liability, No Darkness”
Trump was quick to assure app stores and service providers that they wouldn’t face any legal blowback for keeping TikTok accessible:
“There will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,” he wrote. “Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday…and other events and conversations.”
Cue a wave of relief on social media, as TikTok confirmed it started restoring service on Sunday. The company thanked the president for clarifying that they “will face no penalties providing TikTok,” calling it a strong stand for free speech. They also pledged to “work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
Potential Deals and a 90-Day Window
Under the bipartisan law signed by Biden, a 90-day grace period can be granted if:
- There’s a viable path to the app’s divestiture;
- Significant progress has been made towards an approved sale; and
- Binding legal agreements are in place to finalise a transfer of ownership.
Trump indicated that one such arrangement could involve the United States taking a 50% ownership stake. Another last-minute twist? Reports suggest Perplexity AI made a bid to merge with TikTok US, forming a new entity involving New Capital Partners.
A Familiar Ban Attempt
This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to ban TikTok. During his first term, he also attempted to block WeChat but was thwarted by the courts. That earlier ban was later revoked by President Biden. Now, with a new administration (and Trump’s own upcoming inauguration… again), we’re seeing déjà vu in action.
For TikTok users, at least, there’s momentary relief. But with so many twists and turns, who’s to say there won’t be another curveball soon?
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