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TikTok said on Sunday that it was restoring its operations in the United States, after President-elect Trump promised to issue an executive order to expand TikTok’s operations on Inauguration day.
Some US users said they were able to regain access to the app after Saturday’s power outage.
Trump wrote on TRUTH Social that he is “asking companies not to let TikTok stay in the dark!”
“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the deadline before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can reach an agreement to protect our national security,” the president-elect continued. “The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.”
“Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump said.
TIKTOK SHOUTS TRUMP AS APP GOES DARK FOR MILLIONS OF USERS ACROSS US
President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and their son Barron board a U.S. Air Force plane en route to Dulles, Virginia, January 18, 2025 in West Palm Beach. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Trump is expected to be sworn in around noon ET Monday at the U.S. Capitol, officially taking office as the 47th president.
His message on Sunday did not specify how soon the extension would take effect or how long it would last.
As for the proposed national security deal, Trump said he would like “the United States to have a 50% stake in a joint venture.”
“By doing this, we are saving TikTok, keeping it in good hands and allowing it to [stay] up. Without US approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars, if not trillions,” Trump wrote. “Therefore, my first thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or the new owners, in which the United States- United would get a 50% stake in a joint venture. company created between the United States and whatever purchase we choose.
TikTok’s X account dedicated to posting policy updates posted a statement on Sunday saying, “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is restoring service.”
“We thank President Trump for providing necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will not face any penalties in providing TikTok to more than 170 million Americans and enabling more than 7 million small businesses to thrive,” the statement said. “This is a strong stance in support of the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
Apple and Google app stores the TikTok application was no longer available starting at 10:50 p.m. EST Saturday. President Biden signed a bipartisan law last spring requiring TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by Sunday or the platform would be banned in the United States.
A TikTok ban message appears on a mobile screen with the TikTok logo on the screen of a tablet in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, January 19, 2025. (Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The following pop-up message appeared for users who tried to access the TikTok app earlier on Sunday: “Sorry, TikTok is not available at the moment. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the United States. Unfortunately , that means you can’t use TikTok right now.”
“We’re fortunate that President Trump has indicated he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office. Stay tuned!” » the message added.
Earlier Sunday, Trump posted a two-word message on TRUTH Social: “SAVE TIKTOK!”
The United States Capitol is pictured at sunrise the day before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, January 19, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Instead of using the nine-month grace period to sell TikTok to an approved buyer, ByteDance, along with TikTok, filed a lawsuit.
The law was implemented on Friday by the United States Supreme Courtwhich highlighted national security risks due to the app’s connection to China.
Trump previously indicated that he needed to “reconsider” the ban before choosing a course of action and that he would “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day extension from the January 19 deadline.
By law, the sitting president can extend the deadline by 90 days if a sale is pending. ByteDance has already rejected the idea of selling TikTok.
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In a video posted Friday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew praised Trump for his “commitment to working with us to find a solution to keep TikTok available in the United States.” This is a strong stand in support of the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.”
FOX Business’ Alexandra Koch, Bradford Betz, Landon Mion and Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
