TikTok Returns: Trump Uses Executive Power to Restore the Beloved App

In a surprising turn of events, TikTok has been reinstated in the United States after former President Donald Trump vowed to bring the platform back on his first day in office if reelected. True to his word, Trump used executive power to overturn previous bans and regulations, ensuring the popular app’s return to millions of users nationwide.

One day before his inauguration, president-elect Donald Trump pledged to issue a day-one executive order intended to save TikTok, despite being a main proponent of a ban during his first term. Posting to Truth Social on Jan. 19, Trump wrote that he was looking to “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect” and foster a "deal to protect our national security," suggesting that he intends to broker a joint venture that would result in an American company taking 50 percent ownership. He called on companies to "not let TikTok go dark" and said he could "confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order."

TikTok quickly responded, saying it was working to reinstate service following Trump's statements. The app was up and running for existing users shortly after, although it still remains off U.S. app stores. "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," wrote the platform on their official policy account on X.

On Jan. 17, TikTok CEO Shou Chew posted a public message to users in which he thanked Trump for his efforts to reinstate the app. "This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship," said Chew. "We are grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform — one who has used TikTok to express his own thoughts and perspectives, connecting with the world and generating more than 60 billion views of his content in the process."

Not long after the app went dark, TikTok altered an in-app pop up message alerting users to the ban. The original message read:

We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable.
We're working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned.

The revised notification read:

A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now.
We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!

The pop-up was then removed.

It's not just TikTok, either. Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and Tesla/X owner Elon Musk, who is set to score an advisory position under the new administration, have also publicly praised Trump and his policy positions, particularly surrounding his controversial stances on content moderation and free speech. Meta recently overhauled its moderation and DEI policies in the name of a more "free speech" supportive platform, abolishing its diversity mandates and loosening its hate speech policies to include previously banned forms of content. And OpenAI's Sam Altman has defended his decision to donate millions in personal contributions to Trump's inaugural fund, in response to a letter from U.S. Senators hinting at possible corruption.

Many of Big Tech's inner circle, including Chew, are expected to appear at the inaugural swearing-in ceremony on Monday.

The move comes as part of Trump’s broader agenda to prioritize digital innovation and appeal to younger voters. TikTok, which boasts a vast user base in the U.S., had faced scrutiny and legal challenges over data privacy and national security concerns. The platform’s reinstatement signals a significant shift in policy, with Trump framing the decision as a victory for freedom of expression and creativity.

Shortly after the announcement, TikTok’s official account posted a message of gratitude, stating, “We’re back, and it’s all thanks to President Trump’s efforts to protect the voices of millions of creators. Thank you for believing in us!” The post quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and reactions within hours.

While the decision has been met with enthusiasm by TikTok’s loyal user base, it has also sparked debates across political and technological circles. Critics argue that the app’s return overlooks unresolved concerns about data security and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. However, supporters claim the move demonstrates Trump’s commitment to championing popular platforms that resonate with younger demographics.

As TikTok makes its comeback, questions remain about the long-term implications of the decision. For now, creators and users across the country are celebrating the return of their beloved platform, eagerly diving back into the world of short-form videos and viral trends.