TikTok is back online in the US after a brief shutdown, thanks to President-elect Donald Trump’s intervention. Trump proposed a joint venture between the US government and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, which would allow the US to own 50% of the platform.
The popular short video-sharing app went dark in the US on Saturday night due to legislation requiring ByteDance to divest the app by January 19. However, Trump vowed to issue an executive order on his first day in office to delay the enforcement of the law, allowing TikTok to resume operations.
Trump’s decision to rescue TikTok was motivated by the platform’s massive user base of 170 million Americans, its ability to reach young voters, and the potential job losses if the app were to cease operations in the US. “We have no choice. We have to save a lot of jobs,” Trump said at a rally on Sunday.
The proposed joint venture would allow the US government to partner with TikTok, giving the platform a significant boost. Trump emphasized that the US would not provide any funding, but rather approval, which would be crucial for TikTok’s survival.
TikTok has expressed gratitude to Trump for his efforts, stating that service providers have received assurances against penalties, enabling the restoration of services. The company is now in the process of restoring its services in the US.
While Trump’s move has sparked hope among TikTok users, questions remain about how he will reconcile his executive action with the existing legislation. The law, signed by President Joe Biden last April, required ByteDance to divest the app by January 19 to avoid a ban.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: TikTok’s fate in the US hangs in the balance, and Trump’s intervention has given the platform a new lease on life.
