TikTok Restores Service After Donald Trump Promises to Save the App

In a dramatic turn of events, TikTok has announced it is “restoring service” less than 24 hours after going dark, following President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to extend the app’s ban deadline via executive order on his first day in office.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company said in a statement. “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. It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”

TikTok’s survival had seemed grim after the Supreme Court upheld President Joe Biden’s April legislation enforcing a nationwide ban unless TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, divested its shares to an American buyer by January 19. In its decision, the Court noted the importance of the app as a platform for free expression and community engagement but emphasized the national security concerns raised by its data collection practices and ties to a foreign adversary.

“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the Supreme Court wrote in its ruling. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.”

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Trump’s decision to intervene was first hinted at during an NBC interview on Saturday, where he stated he would “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day grace period. His confirmation came Sunday morning via Truth Social, where he pledged to “issue an executive order” on Monday to extend the deadline.

“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” Trump wrote. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.”

With TikTok back online, millions of users and small businesses are breathing a sigh of relief, though the future of the app remains uncertain. As ByteDance and U.S. officials work toward a permanent resolution, TikTok’s place in American culture continues to hang in the balance.