In a surprising turn of events, TikTok was back online in the United States shortly after 12:00 p.m. ET, only two hours after President-elect Donald Trump made a statement on social media indicating that he would sign an executive order on Monday to delay the enforcement of a law requiring the Chinese-owned platform to be sold. This announcement marked a dramatic shift in Trump’s position, as he had previously been a vocal advocate for banning the app due to national security concerns.
Trump, who had spearheaded the campaign to ban TikTok over fears that the app could be used by the Chinese government for data mining or espionage, has now turned into a champion for the app’s continued presence in the U.S. In a post on Truth Social, Trump confirmed that he would sign an executive order that would extend the timeline before any prohibitions on TikTok take effect, providing more time for negotiations to take place. Trump wrote, “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.”
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, TikTok users in the U.S. found that the app had been restored, allowing them to access their feeds and continue posting content. The brief interruption had left millions of American users frustrated and uncertain about the future of the app, which has become a cultural phenomenon with widespread use across demographics.
Trump’s statement also revealed key details about his proposed plan for TikTok’s future in the U.S. He voiced his intention to secure a “50% ownership position” in a joint venture, which would ensure that TikTok stays operational in the U.S. and that its management aligns with American interests. His plan, according to his post, is designed to save TikTok while addressing national security concerns and maintaining control over the app’s operations.
Additionally, Trump indicated that his executive order would absolve any company that assisted in keeping TikTok operational prior to his order from any legal liability. This provision seems to suggest that U.S. companies may be involved in helping TikTok remain active during the delay period, possibly allowing for a deal to be struck in the coming months.
Despite the bold claims in his post, the specifics of Trump’s plan remain unclear. It is not evident whether he intends for the U.S. government or a private U.S. company to take the 50% stake in the joint venture, and how the law would be circumvented is also uncertain. An executive order, in theory, cannot override existing legislation, and the law requiring TikTok’s divestment from ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, remains in place. As such, the details of how Trump intends to navigate these legal challenges are ambiguous.
Nevertheless, the move to delay the ban marks a significant shift in Trump’s stance toward TikTok. While the Trump administration had initially viewed the app as a threat to national security, Trump’s new approach suggests a more conciliatory path forward, one that aims to balance concerns about data security with the reality of the app’s immense popularity in the U.S.
As the situation develops, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. Trump’s executive order is expected to buy time for further negotiations, but it remains to be seen whether a lasting solution will be reached or whether the app will face further regulatory challenges down the line. For now, TikTok is back online, and its millions of U.S. users can continue using the app while the fate of its ownership is determined.
