Synopsis
On January 20, TikTok expressed appreciation to President Trump for his role in restoring service in the US. The app had previously gone offline due to a ban from the Biden administration but is now working to reinstate its operations amid discussions for a potential joint venture.Key Takeaways
- TikTok thanks Trump for clarity on service restoration.
- App was offline due to Biden's ban order.
- Trump plans an executive order to delay enforcement.
- Proposal for a US 50% ownership stake in TikTok.
- Supreme Court upheld bipartisan law banning TikTok.
Washington, January 20 (NationPress) The Chinese social media platform TikTok has conveyed its appreciation to President-elect Donald Trump for offering essential clarity and reassurance after announcing that it is working on reinstating service in the United States.
This update follows Trump's commitment to restore TikTok's access, which was suspended in the US on Saturday night in compliance with the Biden administration's ban order.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, TikTok remarked, "In collaboration with our service providers, TikTok is currently in the process of restoring service. We appreciate President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will incur no penalties for offering TikTok to over 170 million Americans and supporting over 7 million small businesses in their growth."
"This represents a strong stance for the First Amendment and challenges arbitrary censorship. We aim to collaborate with President Trump to establish a long-term resolution that allows TikTok to continue operating in the United States," the statement further noted.
Trump announced via Truth Social that he intends to issue an executive order on Monday to postpone the enforcement of the TikTok ban for 90 days.
"I urge companies not to let TikTok remain inactive! I will sign an executive order on Monday to extend the time before the law's prohibitions take effect, enabling us to negotiate a deal that safeguards our national security," he stated.
"The order will also ensure that there will be no repercussions for any company that assisted in keeping TikTok operational prior to my order. Americans deserve to witness our thrilling Inauguration on Monday, along with various other events and discussions," he added.
Additionally, he proposed that the US should hold a 50 percent ownership stake in a joint venture involving TikTok.
"I would like the US to secure a 50 percent ownership share in a joint venture. This way, we preserve TikTok, keep it in capable hands, and allow it to continue functioning. Without US approval, TikTok cannot operate. With our endorsement, it is valued at hundreds of billions of dollars - potentially trillions," he remarked.
"Thus, my preliminary thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new stakeholders where the US obtains a 50 percent ownership in a partnership formed between the US and any buyer we choose," he added.
TikTok ceased operations in the US on Saturday night (local time), merely hours before a law prohibiting the app was set to be enforced, according to CNN.
Users attempting to access the platform were greeted with a message stating, "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now."
The ban follows a Supreme Court ruling on Friday that upheld a law passed with bipartisan support in Congress and signed by US President Joe Biden in April.
