President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to revive TikTok access in the US through an executive order after his inauguration on Monday, with a condition that at least 50% of the platform be owned by US investors. TikTok ceased operations for its 170 million American users late Saturday, following a law that shut it down on national security grounds.
US officials raised concerns over potential misuse of American data by TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Trump stated that he would delay the law’s enforcement to negotiate a deal that safeguards national security.
“I want the US to have a 50% stake in a joint venture, ensuring TikTok remains secure and operational,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added that the executive order would protect companies involved in maintaining TikTok’s operations before the ban.
TikTok, which had stopped working and been taken off app stores over the weekend, issued a statement to users in light of Trump’s inauguration expressing hopes for resolution. This unprecedented shutdown of social media will have far-reaching implications on US-China relations, politics, and the entire social media industry.
Under a law passed by Congress, the incoming Trump administration has the authority to ban or force the sale of other Chinese-owned apps. ByteDance-owned apps like CapCut and Lemon8 also went offline in US app stores.
The Chinese Embassy accused the US of unfair suppression, vowing to protect its interests. Meanwhile, TikTok users flocked to alternatives like RedNote, while VPN searches surged as users sought ways to access the platform.
Despite the ban, Trump appears to have hinted at the possibility of a resolution by seeking a political settlement that would ensure the functioning of TikTok. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew may attend Trump’s inauguration followed by his rally.
