David Bridges
On the eve of his inauguration, president-elect Donald Trump made a surprising commitment to enact a day one executive order aimed at preserving TikTok, despite having been a leading advocate for its ban during his previous administration. This unexpected shift highlights the evolving landscape of social media and its intersection with national security concerns.
In a post on Truth Social dated January 19, Trump expressed his intention to “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect” and indicated a desire to broker a deal that would secure national security interests. He proposed a joint venture where an American entity would assume 50 percent ownership of TikTok. Trump urged companies to “not let TikTok go dark” and reassured them that there would be “no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,” showcasing his proactive approach to safeguarding the app’s future.
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In response to Trump’s declarations, TikTok acted swiftly to restore service for its users, ensuring functionality for existing accounts, although it still remains unavailable for new downloads in U.S. app stores. The platform expressed gratitude towards Trump for providing clarity and assurance to service providers, stating, “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,” highlighting the app’s significant role in the digital economy.
Despite Trump’s promises to advocate for TikTok’s survival, a new pop-up notification appeared on the platform stating:
Welcome back!
Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!
You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.
Credit: Screenshot / TikTok
In a notable turnaround from his earlier positions and executive orders in his first term, Trump has shown increasing support for the China-based app over the past year. Recently, he submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, asserting his unique ability to save TikTok while upholding national security goals, and urged the court to delay the ban. However, the court ultimately upheld the ban, continuing the legal and regulatory complexities surrounding the popular app.
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In the wake of Trump’s electoral success, significant figures in the tech industry have been actively seeking to align themselves with his administration. On January 17, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, publicly thanked Trump for his efforts to restore the app, emphasizing, “This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.” Chew acknowledged the importance of having a president who understands the platform and its impact, noting the billions of views generated by Trump’s content on TikTok.
Following the app’s temporary blackout, TikTok modified its in-app notification regarding the ban. The original message expressed regret over the impending ban, while the updated notification conveyed optimism about Trump’s commitment to finding a solution:
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!
This notification was subsequently removed, reflecting the shifting dynamics of the situation.
The situation extends beyond just TikTok. Major tech leaders, including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Tesla/X owner Elon Musk, have publicly commended Trump and his policies, particularly regarding content moderation and free speech. Meta has recently revamped its moderation and diversity policies to adopt a more “free speech” oriented stance, which includes relaxing previous restrictions on certain types of content. Additionally, OpenAI’s Sam Altman has responded to criticisms regarding his financial contributions to Trump’s inaugural fund, reinforcing his support for the new administration.
It is anticipated that many influential figures from the tech sector, including Chew, will be present at the inauguration ceremony on Monday, signaling a potential new era of collaboration between government and tech.
UPDATE: Jan. 19, 2025, 1:58 p.m. EST This piece was updated to include a new in-app notification added shortly after TikTok reinstated service.
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