TikTok’s dramatic flip-flop back to life in the U.S. is the stuff of digital soap operas—chaotic, controversial, and, in true TikTok fashion, way too fast-paced to keep up. Less than 24 hours after the app went dark on January 18 and many scrambling to find ways to bypass the block, users across America were once again scrolling, laughing, and lip-syncing as TikTok announced it was “restoring service.” But this wasn’t some random reboot. It was a cocktail of last-minute political chess moves, presidential promises, and a whole lot of legal wrangling that brought the app back from the brink.
Why TikTok Is Suddenly Back Up After a Nationwide Ban
TikTok is working again for some people after being briefly unbanned in the U.S. The app is back up now and restoring service following assurances from President-elect Donald Trump. The platform’s return comes as part of a temporary extension to address legal and national security concerns.
🚨 TikTok has been restored for some users. pic.twitter.com/FYEFTRIGAf
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 19, 2025
Here’s the tea: TikTok went dark Saturday night, leaving its 170 million American users with a bleak error message reading, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.” This wasn’t just a glitch—it was the fallout from a Supreme Court ruling on January 17 that upheld a law demanding TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sell its U.S. operations or shut down. The law, signed by outgoing President Joe Biden in April 2024, was Congress’s attempt to address national security fears over potential data access by the Chinese government. ByteDance has always denied these allegations, calling them baseless censorship. Still, the court’s decision left TikTok with no choice but to comply—or disappear.
Then, enter President-elect Donald Trump. The 78-year-old, about to take office for his second non-consecutive term on January 20, decided TikTok was worth saving. On Sunday morning, just hours after the app’s shutdown, Trump dropped a post on his Truth Social account, promising to issue an executive order extending TikTok’s grace period. His reasoning? The app was essential for “free speech” and his inauguration livestream on Monday. Yep, Trump wanted TikTok users to watch him take the oath of office in real-time. He even floated the idea of a 90-day extension to sort things out.
Tiktok is back not even a day later
NOTHING EVER HAPPENS pic.twitter.com/I7NqqgifBi
— Kaguya’s Top Gal (@hayasaka_aryan) January 19, 2025
Trump’s post wasn’t just a political Hail Mary; it was a lifeline for TikTok’s service providers. His assurance that companies supporting TikTok wouldn’t face penalties prompted TikTok to fire up its servers again. By Sunday afternoon, the app was partially back online—though still missing from Apple and Google’s app stores. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok thanked Trump for his “clarity and assurance,” calling his stance a win for the First Amendment. The company pledged to work with the new administration on a “long-term solution” to keep TikTok running in the U.S.
But let’s not kid ourselves—this saga is far from over. Even with Trump’s proposed extension, the law remains crystal clear: ByteDance has to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner, or the ban will eventually take effect. Trump’s suggestion of a 50-50 joint venture between U.S. investors and ByteDance could be a workaround, but it’s a legal minefield. The law caps foreign ownership of such entities at 20%, meaning Congress might have to step in and tweak the rules.
For now, though, TikTok lives to fight another day. Its return has been a bizarre mix of political maneuvering and sheer timing luck. As Trump takes office on Monday, all eyes will be on his next move—and on whether ByteDance is willing to play ball or keep pushing back. One thing’s for sure: TikTok’s rollercoaster of shutdowns, revivals, and political drama is the most TikTok thing ever. Stay tuned, because this saga is far from hitting its final beat.
