TikTok credited President-elect Donald Trump for enabling its return to the United States on Sunday after the app briefly went offline due to a looming ban. The outgoing Biden administration had earlier refused to enforce the prohibition.
TikTok’s suspension came as its Chinese owner, ByteDance, faced a deadline to sell its US subsidiary to non-Chinese buyers. Millions of users found the app inaccessible by Sunday morning.
Trump announced plans to delay the ban via executive order, allowing more time for a deal. On his Truth Social platform, he proposed a joint venture with the US holding 50% ownership, predicting the app’s value could soar into the “hundreds of billions or even trillions.”
TikTok resumed service in the US by Sunday afternoon. In a statement, the company thanked Trump for providing “clarity and assurance” to service providers, ensuring they face no penalties for supporting TikTok’s operations.
However, TikTok did not address Trump’s call for American ownership, and ByteDance remains opposed to selling its US subsidiary. Trump has praised TikTok for connecting him to younger voters, but the law’s enforcement may limit his ability to lift the ban without a sale.
The ban, upheld by the US Supreme Court on Friday, mandates app store removals and blocks downloads, with penalties for tech firms like Apple, Google, and Oracle if the app is accessed.
The situation has reignited debates on TikTok’s role in disinformation and national security, with some European leaders also calling for similar bans. Amid the controversy, American tennis star Coco Gauff expressed her love for the app, saying it felt like “an escape” after writing “RIP TikTok USA” during the Australian Open.
Last-minute offers to acquire TikTok’s US operations, including one from Perplexity AI and another from businessman Frank McCourt, could influence the app’s future as negotiations continue.