Staying true to its word, TikTok went dark briefly in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 19. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously accused the app of pulling a “stunt,” with the press officer telling MSNBC that “we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday.”
Despite this, TikTok went ahead and cut its 170 million US users off the app, proving it was deadly serious. But by Sunday afternoon, users reported that they could access the app once again. A pop-up window greeted them, reading: “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
How Will TikTok Return?
But while creators rejoice at the app’s return, there’s still a level of instability. According to the “ban or sell” law, time is indeed up for the app.
The first step, according to incoming president Donald Trump, is issuing an executive order to give TikTok a 60-90 day extension/reprieve to negotiate a deal with the US.
As for the nature of this deal, Trump said in a post on Truth Social: “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture.”
“[M]y initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose.”
It currently isn’t clear how TikTok feels about that proposal. However, given CEO Shou Chew’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration and the company’s crediting the President with saving the app, it seems clear that they’re at least working together.
