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TikTok said it was in the process of resuming operations in the US on Sunday, after President-elect Trump promised to issue an executive order to extend TikTok’s operations on Inauguration Day.
US users reported that they were able to regain access to the app after Saturday’s power outage, and by Sunday afternoon, a new message crediting Trump appeared to users.
“Welcome back!” TikTok message read. “Thank you for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US!”
Earlier on Sunday, Trump wrote on TRUTH Social that he is “asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!”
TIKTOK SHOUTS TRUMP AS APP GOES DARK FOR MILLIONS OF US USERS
TikTok welcomed users back to the social media platform after President-elect Trump vowed to push back on an executive order delaying a ban. (Fox News / Fox News)
“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the time period before the law’s bans go into effect so we can make a deal to protect our national security,” the president-elect continued. “The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark prior to my order.”
“Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump said.
President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and their son Barron board a U.S. Air Force jet en route to Dulles, Virginia on January 18, 2025 in West Palm Beach. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Trump is expected to be sworn in around noon ET Monday at the Capitol, officially taking office as the 47th president.
His post on Sunday did not clarify how soon the extension would take effect or specify how long it would last.
As for the proposed national security deal, Trump said he would like “the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture.”
“By doing this, we protect TikTok, keep it in good hands and enable it [stay] up. Without US approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions,” Trump wrote. “Therefore, my initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners, with the US taking a 50% ownership in a joint . joint venture established between the US and any acquisition we choose.”
TikTok’s X account dedicated to releasing policy updates posted a statement later Sunday saying, “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service.”
“We thank President Trump for providing the certainty and clarity needed for our service providers that they will not face any penalties while providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” the statement said. “It’s a strong stand for 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.”
Apple and Google’s app stores no longer had the TikTok app available as of 10:50 p.m. EST on Saturday. President Biden signed bipartisan legislation last spring mandating that TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, sell the platform by Sunday or else the platform will be banned in the United States.
A TikTok ban message is displayed on a mobile screen with the TikTok logo on a tablet screen in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on January 19, 2025. (Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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The following pop-up message appeared for users who tried to access the TikTok app earlier on Sunday: “Sorry, TikTok is not available right now. A law banning TikTok has been passed in the U.S. Unfortunately, this means you cannot you can use TikTok for now.”
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!” message added.
Earlier on Sunday, Trump released a two-word message on TRUTH Social: “SAVE TIKTOK!”
The U.S. Capitol is seen at sunrise the day before President-elect Donald Trump’s second term inauguration, January 19, 2025, in Washington, DC (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Instead of using the nine-month grace period to sell TikTok to an approved buyer, ByteDance, as well as TikTok, sued.
The law was upheld on Friday by the US Supreme Court, which noted national security risks due to the app’s connection to China.
Trump previously indicated that he needs to “review” the ban before deciding on a course of action and that he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day extension from the January 19 deadline.
By law, the acting president can extend the deadline by 90 days if a sale is pending. ByteDance has previously opposed the idea of selling TikTok.
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In a video posted Friday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew praised Trump for his “commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States. That’s a strong position for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.”
FOX Business’ Alexandra Koch, Bradford Betz, Landon Mion and Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
