In a dramatic turn of events, TikTok announced Sunday that it is in the process of restoring its services to U.S. users, just over 12 hours after shutting down access in anticipation of a nationwide ban. The move followed assurances from President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged to protect the platform and provide a pathway for its continued operation in the United States.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “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.”
The platform, which had gone dark late Saturday, was operational again as of 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, although it remained unavailable on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Upon reopening the app, users were greeted with a message of gratitude: “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
A Legal and Political Saga
TikTok’s shutdown came in response to a U.S. law that required its parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the platform or face a ban. The Supreme Court rejected TikTok’s legal challenge to the law on Friday, ruling it did not violate First Amendment rights. While the Biden administration opted not to enforce the law, the decision left the matter to Trump, who will assume the presidency on Monday.
Trump took swift action, urging companies not to block TikTok’s access and announcing plans to issue an executive order extending the app’s timeline for compliance. He also floated the idea of a joint venture that would give the U.S. a 50% ownership stake in TikTok, claiming such an arrangement would be mutually beneficial.
“Without U.S. approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “A joint venture ensures that TikTok remains available to Americans while benefiting our economy and safeguarding national security.”
A Temporary Resolution, But Challenges Remain
Despite the temporary resolution, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. ByteDance continues to face mounting pressure to divest from the platform. Trump himself reiterated his preference for U.S. ownership, suggesting that such an arrangement is key to TikTok’s long-term viability.
Adding to the high-stakes negotiations, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration Monday, joining a host of influential tech leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Chew previously met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where he expressed the company’s commitment to finding a solution.
The First Amendment and Big Tech
TikTok framed the weekend’s developments as a victory for free speech. “It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship,” the company said in its statement. “We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
While TikTok’s fate is far from settled, its swift restoration marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over national security, global tech, and the rights of American consumers and businesses. For now, millions of users and creators can once again scroll, share, and create on the beloved platform—but the road ahead promises to be anything but predictable.
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