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TikTok is back available to users in the US on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump promised to sign an executive order that would delay a ban on the platform. The TikTok app became unavailable to US users late Saturday, in preparation for a law that takes effect Jan. 19, the day before Trump is inaugurated as president at noon ET
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the social media platform wrote. Sunday X. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties for providing TikTok to more than 170 million Americans and allowing more than 7 million small businesses to thrive.”
TikTok praised Trump in a warning posted Saturday night, seen as users tried to open the app. The social media app said in a statement on Sunday that the restoration of its service was a positive development for free speech.
“This is a strong position in favor 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,” the ByteDance-owned company wrote.
Billionaire authoritarian Trump, who has vowed to target his political foes, announced Sunday morning that he would keep TikTok operating in the United States, and that a deal had been reached to find something long-term.
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok go dark! On Monday, I will issue an order extending the deadline for the law’s bans to take effect so we can negotiate a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped blackball TikTok before my order,” Trump wrote on the social media platform on Sunday morning. Truth Social.
Ironically, Trump said on Monday that his main concern with TikTok’s existence is that people want to see him become president again.
“Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump continued.
But the strangest element of Trump’s announcement was his public plans for how to structure a deal that would allow the app to continue operating in the US. No details on how this might work, though.
“I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in the joint venture. With this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and let it say. No Tik Tok without US permission (sic). With our approval, it’s worth hundreds of billions of dollars, maybe trillions,” Trump wrote.
The billionaire clearly hinted at how lucrative the deal could be, in a sign that he deserves both praise and perhaps some kind of benefit for himself.
“Therefore, my initial view is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners with a 50% ownership in a joint venture between the US and whichever we choose.”
Trump’s dealings with everyone have long been known to be transactional, but it’s not yet entirely clear whether the future president will personally profit from the TikTok deal, as he has in many other areas of life.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas is not happy with the way things are going with TikTok, releasing a statement praising companies like Apple and Google for removing them from app stores, saying there is no legal way to get any extension.
“We commend Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft for following the law and ceasing transactions with ByteDance and TikTok, and encourage other companies to do the same. The law ultimately risks devastating bankruptcy for any company that violates it. “Now that the law is in place, there is no legal basis for any ‘extension’ of its effective date,” Cotton said in a statement. broadcast online.
But with Trump back in office, Cotton’s displeasure may not be so great because laws are only real if they are enforced. The executive branch, which houses the US Department of Justice, will be responsible for enforcing the TikTok “ban or take down” law.
“In order for TikTok to be back online in the future, ByteDance must agree to a legally binding sale, cutting all ties between TikTok and Communist China,” Cotton said. “Only then will Americans be protected from the serious threat to their privacy and security posed by the communist-controlled TikTok.”