TikTok Ban Live Updates: Trump Says ‘TikTok Is Back’ In Victory Rally As App Restores Access

TikTok Ban Live Updates: Trump Says ‘TikTok Is Back’ In Victory Rally As App Restores Access

TikTok Ban Live Updates: Trump Says ‘TikTok Is Back’ In Victory Rally As App Restores Access

Topline

President-elect Donald Trump celebrated TikTok's return at a rally on Sunday after the platform ended a 14-hour shutdown, triggered by a nationwide ban. Trump promised to halt the ban once he assumes office by extending the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok's China-based parent company, to sell the app.

Timeline of Events

January 19, 2025
5:30 p.m. EST: At a D.C. "victory rally," Trump announced, "as of today, TikTok is back," pledging a U.S.-controlled 50% ownership in a potential joint venture.
4:20 p.m. EST: Trump adviser Jason Miller stated the president-elect is finalizing an executive order to delay the TikTok ban and provide more time for negotiations.
4:10 p.m. EST: A 19-year-old was arrested for allegedly setting fire to a building housing Rep. Glenn Grothman’s office, claiming the TikTok ban motivated the act.
3:10 p.m. EST: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew reportedly planned to attend Trump’s pre-inauguration rally and inauguration, joining figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
1:50 p.m. EST: TikTok resumed operations for many U.S. users, welcoming them back with a popup message, though the app remains unavailable on Apple’s App Store.
1:00 p.m. EST: Some users reported TikTok was functional again, hours after the app's service suspension.
12:30 p.m. EST: TikTok tweeted that service was being restored thanks to Trump’s assurances of no penalties for service providers.
10:00 a.m. EST: Trump announced plans to sign an executive order delaying the ban and called for a joint venture to manage TikTok in the U.S.
7:03 a.m. EST: Trump posted on Truth Social: "SAVE TIKTOK."

January 18, 2025
11:00 p.m. EST: TikTok preemptively shut down its U.S. operations, citing the upcoming ban.
12:30 p.m. EST: Trump indicated he would likely extend the TikTok ban deadline by 90 days but provided no definitive confirmation.

Earlier Developments
January 17, 2025: The Supreme Court upheld the TikTok ban, emphasizing national security concerns. TikTok announced it would shut down if no resolution was reached.
December 2024: TikTok appealed to the Supreme Court for an injunction, arguing the ban violated First Amendment rights. The court declined to pause the law.
April 2024: Congress passed legislation banning TikTok unless ByteDance divests its U.S. operations, citing national security concerns.

Key Details
Ban Status: The nationwide ban took effect on January 19, 2025. While TikTok is back online, it remains unavailable on Apple’s App Store, with no clarity on its full restoration timeline.
Trump’s Role: Trump plans to issue a 90-day extension to delay the ban, allowing ByteDance to negotiate a sale or joint venture.
Biden Administration: The outgoing administration did not intervene, labeling TikTok’s shutdown announcement a "stunt."
Data Concerns: TikTok has faced allegations of mishandling user data and spying, which ByteDance denies, claiming steps have been taken to protect U.S. user data.

Big Picture
TikTok’s fate hinges on ongoing negotiations between ByteDance and potential U.S. buyers, with the ban raising concerns about data privacy, free speech, and national security.