Late Saturday, TikTok disconnected access for users in the United States just before a national ban on the app was set to take effect. This move was in response to concerns over national security, with a deadline for its Chinese owners to sell the platform to non-Chinese buyers by Sunday. However, President-elect Donald Trump, who has expressed support for the app, would be unable to intervene until after his inauguration.
TikTok, a hugely popular video-sharing platform, has turned everyday users—from teenage dancers to grandmothers sharing cooking tips—into viral sensations. The app also played a role in connecting Trump with younger voters, which he credited for his election victory in November.
Trump, after discussing the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping, suggested a 90-day reprieve might be possible once he assumes office. “I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at,” Trump said, confirming that an extension would likely happen if he decides to pursue it. He plans to announce his decision on Monday, ahead of his inauguration.
The law allows for a 90-day delay if progress is made toward a potential deal, but ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has refused to sell. The Biden administration has stated it will leave the decision to Trump, and White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed TikTok’s recent statements as a “stunt.”
After the court defeat, TikTok CEO Shou Chew thanked Trump for his commitment to finding a solution, adding that Trump “truly understands our platform.” Chew, who will also attend Trump’s inauguration, expressed hope for a resolution.
The law also mandates that Apple and Google remove TikTok from their app stores, blocking new downloads. The companies could face penalties of up to $5,000 per user who can still access the app. Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s servers, would also be required to enforce the ban, though none of the companies have commented on the matter.
In a last-minute twist, start-up Perplexity AI proposed a merger with TikTok’s US subsidiary as a potential solution. This proposal, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, would create a joint venture combining the assets of US TikTok and Perplexity AI, potentially valued at $50 billion.
Meanwhile, Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, made an offer to purchase TikTok’s US operations for an estimated $20 billion. Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary, involved in McCourt’s offer, acknowledged the legal uncertainties, with experts cautioning that a presidential executive order might not override the law.
With TikTok facing shutdown, its competitors—Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts—could benefit. Meanwhile, many concerned TikTok users have migrated to Xiaohongshu (“Little Red Book”), a Chinese social media platform similar to Instagram, which became the most downloaded app on the US Apple Store this week.
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