TikTok resumed operations in the United States on Sunday after president-elect Donald J. Trump announced his intention to issue an executive order delaying the enforcement of a federal ban on the social media platform.
The abrupt turnaround came just hours after major app stores removed TikTok from their platforms, effectively cutting off access for US users.
In a post on X, the company confirmed that, “in agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service.”
Trump, in a Truth Social post on Sunday morning, stated that he would “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 ban originated from a 2024 law that mandates app stores and cloud computing providers cease distributing or hosting TikTok unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Lawmakers pushed for the ban due to concerns that the Chinese government could exploit TikTok’s vast user base—estimated at 170 million Americans—to gather intelligence or spread propaganda.
Under the law, tech companies that fail to comply face significant financial penalties. Addressing these concerns, Trump assured that his order would “confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.”
Trump’s proposed executive action introduced fresh legal and political uncertainties, as it would temporarily override a bipartisan law that Congress passed and the Supreme Court unanimously upheld last week. His move raised questions about the rule of law and executive authority in the U.S.
TikTok welcomed Trump’s intervention, stating, “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.”
However, legal experts argued that Trump’s order may face challenges. The law allows a president to grant a 90-day extension if a buyer is identified, but only if there is “significant progress” toward a deal that would transfer TikTok’s ownership to a non-Chinese entity. Given that the law has already taken effect, it remains uncertain whether this option is still available.
In his post, Trump floated the idea that he “would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” but he did not provide further details.
TikTok has consistently argued that a sale is unfeasible due to the structure of its global operations. Moreover, China signaled that it would block any sale involving its proprietary video-recommendation algorithm.
Meanwhile, opponents of TikTok’s continued operation have intensified efforts to ensure the ban is enforced. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, reportedly contacted major tech companies in recent days, warning them to comply with the law.
On Sunday, Cotton and Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) issued a joint statement commending companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft for following the law, warning that violations “could result in bankruptcy.” They emphasized, “Now that the law has taken effect, there’s no legal basis for any kind of ‘extension’ of its effective date. Only a sale will allow TikTok to continue operating.”
While some Republican lawmakers push for the ban’s enforcement, Democratic leaders also stepped in to prevent the app from going dark. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) reportedly urged President Joe Biden to reconsider, warning that allowing TikTok to be shut down under his watch could tarnish his legacy.
Late Saturday, TikTok acknowledged the severity of the situation in a message to users, stating that the platform was unavailable but expressing optimism that Trump’s intervention could lead to a resolution. “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution,” the company stated.
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