Approximately 12 hours after TikTok was shut down in the U.S on Saturday, the app was back as of noon on Sunday. TikTok posted in a statement on Sunday that they are “in the process of restoring service” following incoming President Trump’s pledge to sign an executive order delaying the implementation of the bill which would require the company to divest.
The popular social video app went dark in the U.S. on Saturday night, just before the divestiture bill was set to became law at midnight on Jan. 19. The Biden administration had said that “actions to implement the law simply must fall to the next Administration, which takes office on Monday.”
At approximately 10 p.m. eastern time on Saturday, TikTok posted a message in their app saying, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.” However on Sunday, users opening the app received a “Welcome back!” message that thanked them for their patience and support, which also noted: “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump wrote: “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order. Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations. I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up. Without U.S. approval, there is no Tik Tok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions. Therefore, my initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose.”
TikTok thanked Trump, sharing in a statement: “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. It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
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