
TikTok is Back on Monday
TikTok and its Surreal Shutdown, And Return on Monday
COLUMBIA, S.C., — (CC News) — TikTok, the immensely popular social media platform, went dark late Saturday night, leaving its 170 million U.S. users reeling. The app displayed a message stating, “TikTok is offline. Please stay tuned,” sparking widespread confusion and frustration. However, by Sunday afternoon, TikTok appeared to be partially restored following President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to issue an executive order on Monday delaying the ban.

The shutdown marked the culmination of weeks of uncertainty after Congress passed legislation banning TikTok over national security concerns. ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, failed to meet the deadline to divest its U.S. operations, leading to the app’s removal from app stores and a complete halt to its services in the United States.
Trump’s Promise to Restore TikTok
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump pledged to issue an executive order following his Monday inauguration to temporarily reinstate TikTok while negotiations for a sale to an American entity continue. “Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump said. He also proposed a 50-50 joint venture between ByteDance and a new U.S. owner to resolve security concerns.
Trump, who credits TikTok for helping him connect with young voters during his campaign, added, “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok. There are those who say TikTok had something to do with [my election victory].”
The executive order would provide a temporary reprieve, but it faces opposition from bipartisan lawmakers who view any extension of TikTok’s operations as a risk. Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts criticized the move, stating, “TikTok may only come back online by severing all ties with Communist China.”

The Shutdown’s Immediate Impact
TikTok’s sudden shutdown left creators and influencers scrambling. The app had become a source of income, community, and creativity for millions, including high-profile users like influencer Alix Earle. In an emotional farewell video before the app went offline, Earle said, “I feel like I’m going through heartbreak. This platform is more than an app or a job to me.”
TikTok creator Shannon Lange described the shutdown as “surreal,” adding, “It had a very eerie feeling. I think I was in denial that it would actually go dark.” Lange and others expressed hope that the app’s restoration would be swift and seamless.
Crime and Cask on TikTok’s Significance
Crime and Cask, a true-crime TikTok creator with over 90,000 followers and more than 1 million views, weighed in on the app’s importance. “TikTok is more than just an app; it’s a lifeline for creators and a hub for meaningful engagement,” the account posted in a video addressing the shutdown. “We’re all holding our breath for what comes next.”
A Long-Term Solution?
While Trump’s proposed executive order may delay enforcement of the TikTok ban, the app’s future remains uncertain. ByteDance has shown reluctance to sell, while potential buyers like billionaire Frank McCourt and Kevin O’Leary have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. assets. Elon Musk, who recently voiced opposition to the ban on X, is also rumored to be considering an acquisition.
For now, TikTok users are left in limbo, questioning whether their content, followers, and community will survive the app’s turbulent future. Influencer Julie Turkel said, “There’s so much unknown right now. Am I starting from zero again? Is TikTok going to feel the same?”
As the app begins to restore services, creators and users alike are anxiously watching for Trump’s promised executive order and ByteDance’s next move. Until then, the platform’s millions of users will have to wait and see whether TikTok can truly weather the storm.
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