A sudden blackout of TikTok services across the United States sparks an unexpected intervention from President-elect Donald Trump.
According to Fox Business, TikTok has begun restoring its operations in the U.S. after Trump promised to issue an executive order extending the platform's operations on Inauguration Day while proposing a joint venture with 50% U.S. ownership.
The social media platform's temporary shutdown occurred following the Supreme Court's decision to uphold a bipartisan law requiring ByteDance, TikTok's China-based parent company, to sell the platform by Sunday or face a U.S. ban. Users across the country reported regaining access to the app after Saturday's blackout, with a new message acknowledging Trump's intervention appearing on their screens.
President-elect Trump took to TRUTH Social to outline his vision for TikTok's future in America. He emphasized the importance of protecting national security while maintaining the platform's availability to its massive user base. Trump proposed a groundbreaking solution that would give the United States a 50% ownership position in a joint venture.
Trump shared his thoughts on TRUTH Social, stating:
By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to [stay] up. Without U.S. approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars - maybe trillions.
The proposed executive order would extend the period before the law's prohibitions take effect, providing time to negotiate a deal that addresses national security concerns. Trump has also assured companies that they won't face liability for helping keep TikTok operational before his order takes effect.
TikTok's response to Trump's intervention has been swift and appreciative. The company's policy update account on X released a statement confirming the restoration process and expressing gratitude for Trump's leadership in providing clarity to service providers.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew publicly praised Trump's commitment to finding a solution. The platform experienced a complete shutdown in major app stores, including Apple and Google, by Saturday night. Users attempting to access the app earlier Sunday were met with an apologetic message explaining the situation and expressing optimism about Trump's proposed solution.
The situation's urgency is heightened by Trump's upcoming inauguration as the 47th president on Monday. Instead of utilizing the nine-month grace period to sell TikTok, ByteDance chose to pursue legal action, leading to the Supreme Court's decision upholding the ban based on national security concerns.
The proposed executive order represents a significant shift in approach to the TikTok situation. Trump's administration has indicated the possibility of a 90-day extension from the January 19 deadline, although ByteDance has previously shown resistance to selling TikTok.
The platform currently serves over 170 million Americans and supports approximately 7 million small businesses. These numbers underscore the significant economic and social impact of maintaining TikTok's operations in the United States.
The TikTok crisis has reached a critical juncture as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, promising immediate action through an executive order to prevent the platform's permanent shutdown in the United States.
The proposed solution involves creating a joint venture with 50% U.S. ownership, addressing national security concerns and the platform's continued operation. As the situation develops, the focus remains on Monday's executive order and subsequent negotiations to establish a long-term solution for TikTok's presence in America.
