Conservative activists celebrate at Trump’s inauguration sponsored by TikTok Via Reuters

By Jayla Whitfield-Anderson and Anna Tong

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – TikTok hats and MAGA hats adorned partygoers at Sunday’s inauguration of President Donald Trump and the video-sharing platform he once tried to block.

Called the Power 30 Awards, the ceremony took place hours after TikTok began restoring services, and honored social media influencers who were instrumental in Trump’s re-election.

At the party, TikTok influencers recorded moments on small cameras and gathered over the open bar at Sax Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Washington. Free swag flowed: TikTok beans, shot glasses and Trump merchandise.

The party was hosted by Raquel Debono, known for hosting the “Make America Hot Again” dating events, and CJ. Pearson (LON:), co-chair of the Republican National Committee’s Youth Advisory Council.

“2024 was the first impactful election,” Pearson told Reuters at the party. “When we look at the order that President Trump gave, it was because of new voters, and new voters were reached uniquely because of TikTok.”

Trump won only 43% of voters aged 18 to 29 in the 2024 general election, but that was 7 points more than in 2020.

Partygoers also praised Trump for his role in bringing TikTok back.

“Shout out to Donald Trump,” TikTok creator Bryce Hall, whose posts about “making fun of stupid things” have earned him more than 23 million followers, told Reuters. “Now you understand the power of Gen Z.”

TikTok began restoring its services earlier on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump said he would restore access to the app in the US when he returns to power on Monday.

Trump said Sunday that the US will seek a joint venture to restore the short video sharing app used by 170 million Americans.

In a message to users several hours before the meeting, TikTok said: “Thanks to the efforts of President Trump, TikTok is back in the US”

As of Sunday evening, the app remained unavailable for download in US app stores, but the TikTok app and website were back online.

TikTok stopped serving US users late Saturday before the national security ban went into effect on Sunday. US officials have warned that under Chinese parent company ByteDance, there is a risk that Americans’ data will be misused.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to attend the US presidential inauguration and attend a meeting with Trump on Sunday, a source told Reuters.

(Reporting in Washington by Jayla Whitfield-Anderson; Editing by Gerry Doyle)