TikTok is once again available for download in the US, after former president Donald Trump granted a 75-day extension on enforcing a law that would ban the app unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sells its US operations.
The popular video-sharing platform, which has more than 170 million American users, briefly disappeared from Apple and Google’s US app stores last month as the original ban deadline loomed. However, following Trump’s executive order postponing enforcement until 5 April, the app was reinstated after assurances were given that Apple and Google would not face liability for allowing downloads.
The legislation banning TikTok was originally signed into law by former president Joe Biden, with bipartisan support in Congress. The US government had argued that the platform could be used by Beijing for espionage and political manipulation—claims that both TikTok and the Chinese government have repeatedly denied.
Despite his earlier stance in favour of banning TikTok, Trump appeared to shift his position last year during the presidential race. He expressed a “warm spot” for the app, highlighting the billions of views his campaign videos attracted on the platform. When TikTok resumed operations in the US, users received a pop-up message thanking Trump by name.
TikTok’s chief executive, Shou Chew, reportedly met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago after his electoral victory in November and later attended his inauguration.
Trump has floated the idea of a joint ownership model, suggesting that a buyer could take over TikTok and “give half to the US” in exchange for a permit to operate.
Among the potential buyers linked to a takeover are Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and billionaire Elon Musk, who also leads Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. Other names in the mix include billionaire Frank McCourt, Canadian investor and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary, and YouTube’s biggest creator, Jimmy Donaldson—better known as MrBeast—who has claimed that investors approached him after he expressed interest in acquiring the app.
With the ban deadline now pushed to early April, the coming weeks could determine TikTok’s future in the US. Whether a sale materialises or a compromise is reached remains uncertain, but for now, American users can continue scrolling, creating, and engaging on the platform.
Jamie Young
Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.
When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.
