Short News Points :
1. TikTok Shutdown: TikTok was briefly unavailable in the U.S. due to a law banning the
2. Trump’s Intervention: President Trump pledged to delay the enforcement of the ban.
3. App Restored: TikTok resumed service for its 170 million U.S. users.
4. Official Statement: TikTok thanked Trump for ensuring clarity and support for its restoration.
5. Long-term Solution Pending: Negotiations are ongoing to secure TikTok’s future in the U.S.
6. Potential 50-50 Joint Venture: Trump suggested a partnership between ByteDance and a U.S. company.
According to CNN, After a brief outage in the United States, TikTok is once again accessible to its users. The app went offline for several hours, displaying a message indicating that a new law banning TikTok had been implemented, and urging users to “stay tuned.” The ban also affected other ByteDance-owned apps such as Lemon8 and CapCut, which disappeared from app stores.
On Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to issue an executive order to delay the enforcement of the law following his inauguration. This move seemingly expedited TikTok’s return, with users regaining access to the platform within hours. TikTok thanked Trump for his assurance to service providers, which allowed them to resume operations without fear of penalties.
The restoration comes as a relief to TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users, many of whom rely on the platform for entertainment, community engagement, and income. Additionally, the platform supports over 7 million small businesses in the country.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, is set to attend Trump’s “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” and will be present at the inauguration. While the immediate restoration of TikTok is a victory for its users, the app’s long-term survival in the U.S. remains uncertain, as discussions about its ownership and national security implications continue.
Trump revealed plans to negotiate a joint ownership agreement between ByteDance and a U.S.-based company, aiming for a balanced partnership. His decision to delay the enforcement of the ban highlights a shift in his stance on TikTok, as he now recognizes the platform’s significance, especially among younger voters.
TikTok, in a statement, expressed optimism about working with Trump’s administration on a lasting solution. Despite bipartisan support for the ban due to security concerns, many younger Americans oppose such measures.
The executive order is expected to provide ByteDance additional time to address these concerns while maintaining TikTok’s availability in the U.S. For now, the platform’s users and business partners can continue operating, thanks to Trump’s intervention.