Late Saturday, TikTok abruptly cut off access for users in the United States, just hours before a federal ban on the app officially took effect. The decision followed months of legal battles, with President-elect Donald Trump promising to explore reinstating the platform after his inauguration.
A Sudden Shutdown
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US,” read a message to users attempting to access the app. “Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The platform’s statement also conveyed optimism about future negotiations: “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
Court Ruling and National Security Concerns
On Friday, the US Supreme Court upheld legislation banning the app over national security concerns unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform to non-Chinese owners. The law took effect Sunday, requiring Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores and compelling Oracle, its server host, to enforce the shutdown.
While ByteDance has resisted calls to sell TikTok’s US operations, the court ruling has left the app’s future in limbo.
Trump’s Perspective and a Potential Reprieve
President-elect Trump, a TikTok user and vocal supporter, credited the platform with helping him connect with younger voters during his November election victory. Speaking to NBC News, Trump suggested he might issue a 90-day reprieve for the app after his inauguration.
“The 90-day extension is something we’re likely to do because it’s appropriate,” Trump stated on Saturday, hinting at an announcement during Monday’s inauguration.
Industry Reactions and Last-Minute Offers
In response to the ban, TikTok CEO Shou Chew appealed to Trump, expressing gratitude for his willingness to explore a resolution. Chew is also expected to attend the presidential inauguration.
Meanwhile, high-profile investors have proposed solutions to save the platform. Start-up Perplexity AI has reportedly offered a merger with TikTok’s US operations, potentially avoiding a complete sale. Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary has joined another bid, offering ByteDance $20 billion for TikTok’s US business.
However, legal experts remain cautious. Adam Kovacevich, CEO of the Chamber of Progress, warned that “Congress wrote this law to be virtually president-proof,” while Cornell University law professor Sarah Kreps emphasized that federal law takes precedence over executive orders.
Fallout and Rivals Gaining Ground
The TikTok shutdown has left millions of American users scrambling to save their content or migrate to alternative platforms. Rivals like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are expected to benefit from the void.
Additionally, the Chinese app Xiaohongshu, known as “Red Note” among American users, surged to the top of the US Apple Store’s download charts this week as worried TikTok fans explored alternatives.
As negotiations and legal challenges continue, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, but the ban marks a significant turning point in the intersection of social media, national security, and global tech competition.
