HomeNews#TikTok Restores Service in the U.S. Following Trump’s Intervention

#TikTok Restores Service in the U.S. Following Trump’s Intervention

TikTok announced on Sunday that it is restoring its service to U.S. users after briefly blocking access on Saturday evening. The decision came after assurances from President-elect Donald Trump to the company’s service providers, ensuring they would not face penalties for supporting the platform.

In a statement posted on X, TikTok confirmed the restoration efforts, saying:
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers, enabling TikTok to continue serving over 170 million Americans and supporting more than 7 million small businesses. This marks a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.”

The company further expressed its willingness to work with Trump on a long-term solution to maintain TikTok’s presence in the United States.

Trump’s Call for TikTok Availability

The platform’s brief suspension followed Trump’s Saturday post on Truth Social, where he urged for TikTok to remain operational, particularly to broadcast his inauguration on Monday. Trump announced plans to issue an executive order extending the timeline before a recently enacted law banning TikTok takes effect.

“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period before the law’s prohibitions are enforced, allowing us to negotiate a deal that safeguards national security,” Trump stated.

TikTok Service Resumes

By Sunday afternoon, TikTok began restoring access to its content through web browsers, followed by partial availability on its app. Returning users were greeted with a message reading:
“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.”

Despite the restoration, TikTok remained unavailable for download on Apple’s and Google’s app stores.

Legal and Political Implications

The law banning TikTok, signed by President Joe Biden in April, mandates a prohibition on the app unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests ownership to a non-Chinese buyer. Although the law went into effect Sunday, it allows a 90-day extension at the president’s discretion.

Biden’s administration, which initially supported the ban, announced it would leave enforcement to Trump. This apparent shift in position coincided with Trump’s campaign promise to save TikTok, reversing his prior advocacy for a ban during his first term.

Republican Reactions and Challenges Ahead

Despite Trump’s support for TikTok, some Republican lawmakers opposed an extension. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated, “I think we will enforce the law,” adding that TikTok must comply with divestiture requirements.

Senators Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., issued a joint statement, asserting, “Now that the law has taken effect, there’s no legal basis for any kind of extension. For TikTok to remain operational, ByteDance must sever all ties with Communist China.”

Even with a proposed extension, ByteDance has shown no interest in selling TikTok, raising uncertainty about the platform’s future in the U.S. Discussions around joint ownership ventures or changes to the law may be explored as potential solutions.

TikTok reiterated its commitment to finding a path forward, stating:
“We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”

Headline news

- Advertisement -spot_img
Must Read
Related News
- Advertisement -spot_img