TikTok resumed operations for its 170 million U.S. users following a last-minute intervention by President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged to issue an executive order delaying a controversial ban on the app. The Chinese-owned platform, which had gone offline Saturday evening after a national security law took effect, restored access within hours after Trump’s unexpected move.
In a statement, TikTok thanked Trump for providing “clarity and assurance” while expressing readiness to collaborate on a long-term solution to remain in the U.S. market. A pop-up message on the app greeted users, acknowledging the incoming president’s direct role in the reprieve.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
Trump Reverses Stance to Save TikTok
Posting on Truth Social, Trump called on tech companies to keep TikTok operational. He announced his intention to sign an executive order delaying the enforcement of the ban to allow more time for negotiations on safeguarding national security.
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” Trump wrote. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so we can secure a deal.”
The swift action marks a sharp turnaround for Trump, who had previously supported banning the app. His newfound support stems from what he described as a “warm spot” for TikTok, citing the billions of views his campaign content garnered on the platform.
Legal Gray Area Surrounds Trump’s Action
Questions loom over Trump’s legal authority to postpone a law already in effect. While the Supreme Court upheld the legislation requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban, Trump’s incoming administration appears poised to sidestep enforcement.
Legal scholars remain divided. University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias noted that the law includes a clause permitting a 90-day delay if substantial progress on national security concerns is demonstrated. “Whether that threshold has been met is unclear,” Tobias told the Journalist.
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Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the government in recent hearings, warned that executive orders cannot retroactively alter legal statutes. Justice Sonia Sotomayor concurred, stating, “The new president’s actions won’t change legal realities for these companies.”
Political Divisions Deepen Over TikTok’s Fate
Trump’s intervention has further exposed divisions within his party. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, previously championed the TikTok ban, citing national security risks. Yet, when questioned about Trump’s shift, Rubio deferred, saying, “If confirmed, I’ll work for the president.”
Republican Senator Tom Cotton took a more defiant stance, warning that any entity aiding TikTok would face “ruinous liability” under the law.
Several states have also filed lawsuits, raising the possibility of localized bans even if TikTok remains nationally accessible. The app’s removal from Google and Apple stores complicates its full return. Trump’s promise of liability protection may ease third-party concerns, but legal experts caution that the situation remains precarious.
“The best path forward,” Tobias advised, “is for Trump to work with Congress rather than risk further legal uncertainty.”