TikTok announced on Sunday that it is working to restore access to its platform in the United States, less than a day after suspending service in anticipation of a potential ban. The shutdown occurred in response to a law requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the app or face a ban, which took effect on Sunday.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company stated in a message shared on the social platform X.
The statement also expressed gratitude toward President Donald Trump, saying, “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.”
TikTok characterized the move as a victory for free speech, adding, “It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
By 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, the platform was operational again, although it had yet to reappear on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Users in the U.S. were greeted with a message on the app that read, “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.”
Trump’s Role in TikTok’s Reinstatement
President Trump, who is set to take office on Monday, posted on Truth Social that he had urged companies “not to let TikTok stay dark” and would issue an executive order to extend the app’s operations in the U.S.
The shutdown was initiated late Saturday night, just before the law mandating ByteDance’s divestment went into effect. The Supreme Court had earlier rejected TikTok’s legal challenge to the law on Friday, ruling that it did not violate the First Amendment. Despite this, the Biden administration declined to enforce the law, leaving its implementation to the incoming Trump administration.
TikTok had warned on Friday that it would “go dark” unless President Joe Biden intervened, citing the lack of “necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers.” However, the Biden administration dismissed the platform’s warnings as a “stunt.”
ByteDance Faces Continued Pressure
While TikTok has temporarily resolved the immediate threat of a U.S. ban, its parent company, ByteDance, still faces significant pressure to divest its ownership of the app. President Trump himself has emphasized the importance of a new ownership structure.
In a Sunday post, Trump stated, “Without U.S. approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions.” He proposed a joint venture between ByteDance, potential new owners, and the U.S. government, suggesting that the U.S. should hold a 50% ownership stake.
“My initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose,” he explained.
Support from Tech Leaders
As Trump prepares to assume office on Monday, he will be joined by prominent tech leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, who visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month, is also expected to attend the inauguration.
Chew expressed gratitude to Trump after Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, saying, “Thank you for your commitment to finding a solution to keep TikTok available.”
Although TikTok’s immediate future in the U.S. has been secured, ByteDance’s path forward remains uncertain, with divestment still looming as a key issue. As the Trump administration takes charge, negotiations are likely to continue over TikTok’s ownership and its role in the American market.