TikTok ban latest: Chinese app back after Trump promises to restore it but US redownloads not available
During his first administration, Trump pushed for a TikTok ban over national security concerns with China in 2020
The Chinese-owned social media app TikTok has hailed “President Trump’s efforts” as it confirmed it is back online in the U.S. following a brief shutdown.
TikTok went offline in the U.S. at about 10.30 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday before the ban went into effect on January 19.
But on Sunday morning President-elect Donald Trump intervened and vowed to issue an executive order on Monday in a bid to get TikTok back online again.
When users logged in to the app on Sunday afternoon, they were greeted by the message: “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
However, the app remained unavailable for redownload for many users in app stores as of Sunday late afternoon.
The company behind the app released a statement crediting the president-elect for “providing clarity” to tech companies.
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” TikTok said.
During his first administration, Trump pushed for a ban on the app over national security concerns.
Was the whole TikTok drama a bait-and-switch to make Trump look good?
‘It took the air out of me’: How TikTok creators reacted to the chaotic ban — and Trump’s sudden reprieve
Trump boasts about saving TikTok at DC rally day before inauguration: ‘We’re going to make a lot of money’
TikTok back online and thanks ‘efforts of President Trump’ for intervening after app ban
TikTok ban only enforceable by Attorney General
MSNBC’s legal correspondent Lisa Rubin outlines the legal situation surrounding the TikTok ban.
White House: TikTok’s statement about being forced to go dark ‘a stunt'
On Saturday Biden White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the TikTok statement about being forced to go dark Sunday a “stunt.”
We have seen the most recent statement from TikTok.
It is a stunt, and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday.
We have laid out our position clearly and straightforwardly: actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration.
So TikTok and other companies should take up any concerns with them.
Trump: 'Whether you like TikTok or not, we’re going to make a lot of money’
Donald Trump told a crowd tonight: “Whether you like TikTok or not, we’re going to make a lot of money.”
The incoming president is speaking at his pre-inaugural rally in Washington D.C and basking in the glory of his election victory and in “saving” the social media giant’s future in the U.S.
“Can you believe what I'll do to win an election?” Trump said.
“And we went on Tiktok. And Republicans have never won the young vote. The youth vote, they win a lot of votes, but they never won the youth vote. We won the youth vote by 36 points.
“So I like Tiktok.”
Katie Hawkinson has the full story.
Trump boasts about saving TikTok at DC rally: ‘We’re going to make a lot of money’
TikTok unavailable for re-download in app stores
TikTok is still unavailable for re-download in app stores for many users who deleted it from their phones after the ban came into effect.
On Google’s Playstore a message says: “Downloads for this app are paused due to current US legal requirements.”
On Apple’s App Store a message says: “TikTok and other ByteDance apps are not available in the country or region you’re in.”
An earlier message from TikTok said that the app was back on in the U.S.
Trump's national security adviser pledges to preserve TikTok for American users
Trump’s incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz defended the president-elect on Sunday.
He said that Trump was working in “real time” with tech companies to reach an agreement for new US ownership of TikTok — something a number of his allies, including Canada’s Kevin O’Leary, have also been at work seeking to make a reality.
Waltz also indicated that it was possible for TikTok to remain under Chinese ownership, albeit with “firewalls” (such as Americans’ data being stored in US-based servers) to guard against perceived national security threats.
Watch below.
ICYMI: Saturday Night Live mocks TikTok ban
Man accused of setting fire to congressman’s office ‘motivated by TikTok ban’ - report
A man accused of setting fire to a strip mall in Wisconsin where a congressman’s office is located told authorities he was motivated by the federal ban on the popular TikTok video-sharing platform.
Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman had voted last April for a bill that mandated TikTok’s China-based parent company sell its U.S. operation by Sunday.
The fire in Fond du Lac was reported around 1 a.m. The building was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported, police said.
The fire began outside the building and caused minor damage before it was quickly extinguished by firefighters and police.
The 19-year-old Menasha man, whose name has not been released, was in custody and will be charged with arson, police said.
They said he was arrested after he was seen near the mall watching the fire.
Grothman said he was aware of the fire but had no immediate comment about it.
‘This is so dystopian’: TikTok influencers were in panic when app went dark in the US
For weeks, influencers who depended on the app for their income tried to remain hopeful that a U.S. company would purchase it before the ban went into effect.
Now it appears to be back for some users.
But leading up to the ban, many influencers spoke to their fans for what they believed to be one last time either to thank their viewers or explain what they were going to do next, such as turning to the Chinese app, Rednote.
However, other influencers lamented the possible loss of TikTok.
Brittany Miller reports.
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