TikTok Returns to US App Stores Following Trump’s Ban Postponement
TikTok is once again available for download on Apple and Google app stores in the US after former President Donald Trump delayed enforcement of a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform until April 5.
TikTok’s Brief Disappearance and Return
The popular video-sharing app, which boasts over 170 million American users, briefly vanished from US app stores last month as the deadline for its ban approached. However, Trump later issued an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with legislation requiring its sale to a neutral entity or face a complete ban.
TikTok has yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest developments. According to Bloomberg, which first reported on the app’s return, Apple and Google reinstated TikTok after receiving assurances from the Trump administration that they would not face liability for allowing downloads and that the ban would not be enforced immediately.
The Legal and Political Battle Over TikTok
The ban, which was approved in a bipartisan vote in Congress, was signed into law by former President Joe Biden. The legislation mandates that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, divest its US operations to prevent an outright prohibition. The Biden administration cited national security concerns, arguing that the app could be exploited by the Chinese government for espionage and political influence. However, both China and TikTok have consistently denied these allegations, with Beijing opposing any forced sale of the company’s US division.
Ultimately, the law banning TikTok was upheld by the Supreme Court, cementing the requirement for ByteDance to sell its US operations if it wishes to continue operating in the country.
Trump’s Changing Stance on TikTok
During his first term, Trump was a vocal supporter of banning TikTok, but his stance appeared to shift in the lead-up to last year’s presidential election. He acknowledged having a "warm spot" for the app, crediting it for generating billions of views on his campaign videos.
When TikTok resumed operations in the US last month, millions of users received a pop-up message explicitly thanking Trump for his role in ensuring the app remained accessible. TikTok CEO Shou Chew even met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago following his electoral victory in November and later attended his inauguration ceremony.
Trump has expressed a desire to find a compromise that aligns with the law’s intent while keeping TikTok operational. One floated idea involves a joint ownership structure between US and Chinese stakeholders. "What I'm thinking of saying to someone is, buy it and give half to the US, and we'll grant you a permit," Trump stated during a recent press conference on artificial intelligence.
Potential Buyers for TikTok’s US Operations
Among the high-profile names rumored to be interested in acquiring TikTok are Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and billionaire Elon Musk, who leads the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. Other potential buyers include billionaire investor Frank McCourt and Kevin O’Leary, known for his role on Shark Tank. Additionally, YouTube megastar Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has suggested he is in the running after receiving interest from multiple investors following a social media post expressing his interest in the acquisition.
As the deadline for compliance with the law looms, TikTok’s fate in the US remains uncertain, setting the stage for further negotiations and potential legal battles.
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