President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he will lift the ban on TikTok in the U.S. through an executive order, expected to be signed after he is sworn in today. Trump stated that he aims to ensure TikTok remains operational in the U.S. but with conditions, including requiring the app to be at least 50% owned by American investors.
TikTok, which has over 170 million U.S. users, was effectively shut down late on Saturday when the law prohibiting its operation took effect on Sunday, citing national security concerns. The U.S. government has raised alarms about potential data misuse under TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump promised to “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect,” allowing for a deal to protect national security. He proposed a joint venture with U.S. investors, stating that such a move would allow TikTok to “stay in good hands” while remaining operational.
This development follows TikTok’s notification to users about the ban, explaining that while the app is currently unavailable, Trump has pledged to work toward reinstating it after taking office. The ban, enacted by a law passed last year, grants the incoming administration broad authority to target Chinese-owned apps.
The shutdown has already affected millions of users and sparked a scramble for alternative platforms, with apps like RedNote gaining traction. Rival companies Meta and Snap have also seen their stock prices rise, anticipating a shift in user behavior.
With Trump’s executive order, there remains hope that TikTok may soon return, though the path forward remains uncertain, particularly with ongoing discussions about a potential sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to American entities.
