TikTok is restoring service, thanks Trump

"Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it," Trump said during a rally on Sunday, adding that the U.S. would pursue a joint venture to restore the popular video-sharing app used by 170 million Americans.

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In a message to users hours before the rally, TikTok stated: "Thanks to President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S."

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An earlier statement noted that TikTok was working with its service providers to bring the app back online. While the website was accessible, many app features were still unavailable, and it remained absent from U.S. app stores.

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"In agreement with our partners, we are working to restore service," TikTok stated, thanking Trump for "providing the necessary clarity and assurances to our service providers, ensuring they face no penalties for supporting TikTok, which helps millions of American businesses thrive."

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TikTok's public acknowledgment of Trump’s efforts comes at a tense moment in U.S.-China relations. Trump has stated his intention to impose tariffs on China but has also expressed hope for direct communication with China's leadership.

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The Chinese Embassy in the U.S. accused the American government of using unfair state power to suppress TikTok, pledging to "take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard China’s legitimate rights and interests."

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TikTok ceased operations for U.S. users late Saturday, just before a law banning the platform on national security grounds took effect on Sunday. U.S. officials had warned that, under its Chinese parent company ByteDance, there was a risk of misuse of Americans’ data.

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Trump announced he would extend the time before the law takes effect to negotiate a solution that ensures national security.

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"I want the United States to hold a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture," Trump wrote on social media. He added that his executive order would clarify that no company would face liability for keeping TikTok active prior to his intervention.

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Trump previously promised a 90-day extension for the ban after taking office, a commitment TikTok referenced in a notification to users. "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, this means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated he will work with us to find a solution," read the message.

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Trump’s move to save TikTok marks a shift from his first administration when he sought to ban the app over concerns about data-sharing with the Chinese government. Recently, he acknowledged the importance of TikTok, crediting the app for helping him gain support among young voters in the 2024 election.

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In 2020, Trump signed an executive order requiring the sale of TikTok but later approved a partnership structure involving American companies. However, some members of his party opposed efforts to circumvent the law.

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Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts stated: "Now that the law has taken effect, there is no legal basis for any extension. For TikTok to come back online, ByteDance must comply with divestiture requirements and sever ties with China."

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Other ByteDance services, including the video editing app CapCut and the social app Lemon8, were also removed from U.S. app stores.

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Searches for "VPN" spiked shortly after TikTok became inaccessible, while many users expressed concerns over whether their purchases from TikTok Shop would be fulfilled.

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Marketing executives who rely on TikTok scrambled to develop contingency plans, with one describing it as a "hair-on-fire moment." Meanwhile, TikTok's CEO announced plans to attend the presidential inauguration.

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Several potential buyers, including American investors, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok U.S. ByteDance remains partially owned by institutional investors and employs over 7,000 people in the U.S.

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