SOURCE–Punch Newspaper-TikTok restored its service in the United States on Sunday after briefly going offline as a law banning the popular app on national security grounds came into effect.
TikTok credited President-elect Donald Trump, who will assume office on Monday, for making the reversal possible—despite the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden earlier stating it would not enforce the ban.
The video-sharing app went dark in the United States late Saturday as a deadline for its Chinese owners, ByteDance, to sell its US subsidiary to non-Chinese buyers approached.
Earlier on Sunday, as millions of dismayed users found themselves unable to access the app, Trump promised to issue an executive order delaying the ban to allow time to “make a deal.”
He also proposed, via his Truth Social platform, that the United States should take part-ownership of TikTok.
The president-elect stated that he “would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” arguing that the app’s value could rise to “hundreds of billions of dollars—maybe trillions.”
“By doing this, we save TikTok and keep it in good hands,” Trump wrote. He had previously supported a TikTok ban and, during his first term, made moves towards enacting one.
In a statement posted on X following Trump’s comments, TikTok said it was “in the process of restoring service.”
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties for providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans.”
TikTok, which was back online in the United States by Sunday afternoon, did not address Trump’s proposal for partial American ownership of the app.
The law allows for a 90-day delay of the ban if the White House can demonstrate progress towards a viable deal. However, ByteDance has so far refused to sell.
The Biden administration has indicated it would leave enforcement of the law to Trump.
From teenage dancers to grandmothers sharing cooking tips, TikTok has been embraced for its ability to transform ordinary users into global celebrities through viral videos.
However, it has also faced criticism for disinformation, and its Chinese ownership has fuelled national security concerns both in the United States and internationally.
Sunday’s blackout followed the US Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to uphold the legislation banning TikTok pending a sale.
Trump, who signed an executive order increasing pressure on ByteDance to sell in 2020, has credited the app with helping him connect with younger voters.
It remains unclear what the incoming president can do to lift the ban unless ByteDance agrees to sell.
“Congress wrote this law to be virtually president-proof,” warned Adam Kovacevich, chief executive of the industry trade group Chamber of Progress.
‘I Love TikTok’
The law not only removes TikTok from app stores but also requires Apple and Google to block new downloads. The companies could face fines of up to $5,000 per user if the app is accessed.
Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s servers, would also be legally required to enforce the ban. Other social media platforms, such as X, were flooded with memes and comments mourning the app’s temporary shutdown. Some posts were more cynical, referencing Trump’s own past efforts to ban TikTok.
In Europe, TikTok’s suspension drew praise from Estonia’s foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, who said on X: “Banning TikTok must be considered in Europe as well.”
The ban became a talking point at the Australian Open, where American tennis player Coco Gauff wrote “RIP TikTok USA” on a courtside camera.
“I love TikTok, it’s like an escape… hopefully, it comes back,” the world number three told reporters.
Offers for TikTok
On Saturday, Perplexity AI, a highly valued start-up, proposed a merger with TikTok’s US subsidiary, a source familiar with the deal told AFP. The proposal did not specify a price, but the source estimated it would cost at least $50 billion.
Frank McCourt, the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has also submitted an offer to purchase TikTok’s US operations.
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The Supreme Wizard “teeflon_Don Trump overrides, the Supreme Court and the Supreme law of the land? Who’s #yo_Daddy?
Let’s see how the Republican led Congress and Senate take this #back_hand slap by “teeflon_Don Trump.
He soon deport u from his country! Your little space in your cousin basement where u beggng lodging, will soon be vacant
Is this sarcasm? You mean the opportunistic snake oil salesman? Trump started the ban – August 2020.
Trump issues a sweeping but vague executive order banning American companies from any “transaction” with ByteDance and its subsidiaries, including TikTok. Several days later, he issues a second order demanding that ByteDance divest itself of TikTok’s U.S. operations within 90 days.
https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428
Trump started this and is playing you.
August 2020
Trump issues a sweeping but vague executive order banning American companies from any “transaction” with ByteDance and its subsidiaries, including TikTok. Several days later, he issues a second order demanding that ByteDance divest itself of TikTok’s U.S. operations within 90 days.
At the end of the day TikTok will go the way President Elon Musk wants it to go, and real Americans don’t have to guess who the American Shareholders will be. Getting tough on China is always a farce by VP Trump. Wasn’t his Bibles printed in China? God bless America. Per one Preacher, while America parties, China is working overtime. They do not have a stupid and polarizing Congress to stop their progression. As the saying goes if you can’t beat me come join me. A lesson that the UPP politicians in Antigua and Barbuda are taking very well.
@Curious George.
Gatson Browne is the one deeply in bed with the Chinese, not the UPP. Let’s see how all this plays out for him, because you cannot play both sides. Backing the Chinese in everything, even dancing abroad with them, and still please the US of which you want of them to put their Embassy in Antigua.
Gatson Browne has clearly chosen the side that he wants to dance with, so he better stop fooling people about his bareface lies pretending he support freedom of information and freedom of press/speech, which he clearly does not, and has aligned himself with a suppressive regime in China.
95% of our tourist money comes from the US and Europe, which Gatson Browne intern use to pay off his Chinese debt..
I don’t see any Chinese tourists ships pulling up at our port, but you would certainly see their ships filled with their goods at that same port .
So figure out that conundrum for me please?
Because it’s clear who is taking from us and who is giving to us.
So Gatson Brownes loyalty better be very sound for the next 5 years, because it’s going to get very sticky with Trump at the realm.
So keep talking about UPP like you’re dumb, and not pay attention to the bigger implications for small nations like Antigua & Barbuda.
@Curious George, please stop using my nickname … Smh… Man like he got nothing better to do…