TikTok Returns to U.S. After Trump Pledges to Delay Ban

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2025 — TikTok services began restoring in the U.S. on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump announced he would delay the app’s ban, set to take effect Monday. The popular short-video platform, used by 170 million Americans, faced a nationwide shutdown under a law requiring its separation from Chinese parent company ByteDance.

“Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it,” Trump said in a statement posted on Truth Social. He pledged to issue an executive order extending the ban’s enforcement period and proposed a joint venture with U.S. ownership to address national security concerns. TikTok, in a message to users, credited Trump for the reversal, stating, “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.”

The app’s return followed a 14-hour blackout that began late Saturday, when TikTok was removed from Apple and Google app stores. Web-hosting services, including Oracle and Akamai, restored access after Trump assured companies they would face no penalties for supporting TikTok during the transition. However, the app remains unavailable for download on U.S. app stores, and in-app purchases are suspended.

Legal experts expressed skepticism about Trump’s authority to intervene. Alan Rozenshtein, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, noted, “There’s no assurance that Trump, who’s not even the president yet, can provide.” The ban law imposes fines of $5,000 per user for violations, potentially totaling billions of dollars.

Sen. Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized Trump’s move, stating, “Any company that hosts, distributes, services, or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face billions of dollars of ruinous liability.” The Chinese Embassy in Washington accused the U.S. of unfair suppression, vowing to protect its interests.

TikTok’s future remains uncertain as legal and political challenges loom. The app’s reliance on Apple and Google for distribution and updates complicates its revival, while lawmakers question the legality of Trump’s intervention. The incoming administration faces the task of brokering a deal to address national security concerns while preserving TikTok’s role in American digital life.