Trump Intervenes: TikTok Restored in the U.S., But What’s the Bigger Picture?
This weekend has been nothing short of extraordinary for TikTok users in the United States. Just this morning, on January 19th, TikTok went dark, leaving millions of users scrambling to adapt and countless small businesses in disarray. Yet, in an astonishing turn of events, the app is now being restored following an intervention by President-elect Donald Trump. All of this has happened within 24 hours — and during a weekend, no less. While the facts of this reversal are compelling enough, I can’t help but think there’s more to this story.
The Facts: From Shutdown to Reinstatement
TikTok Goes Dark
The initial shutdown of TikTok was prompted by ongoing concerns over data privacy and national security. U.S. officials have long scrutinised TikTok’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fearing the potential for sensitive user data to fall into the hands of the Chinese government. Efforts like “Project Texas” and even the possibility of ByteDance selling TikTok’s U.S. operations failed to resolve the issue. In the face of mounting pressure, TikTok pre-emptively halted its operations in the United States.
Trump’s Intervention
Enter Donald Trump. In a surprise move, the President-elect announced his intention to issue an executive order that would delay the implementation of the ban and reassure service providers that they wouldn’t face penalties for keeping TikTok operational. Taking to Truth Social, Trump declared:
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security."
TikTok’s Response
Following this announcement, TikTok began restoring its services across the U.S. In a statement, the company expressed gratitude to Trump for providing the necessary clarity, noting:
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary assurances to our service providers, allowing TikTok to return to over 170 million Americans and support more than 7 million small businesses."
Proposed Solution
Trump also floated a possible resolution: joint ownership of TikTok, with the United States holding a 50% stake in a new venture. He framed this as a way to safeguard national security while allowing the app to remain operational and under American influence.
My Thoughts: Is There a Bigger Plan Here?
Now, here’s where things get interesting. The facts are compelling on their own, but I’ve had a nagging feeling all along that there’s more going on behind the scenes. Over breakfast, when I first heard TikTok had gone dark, I mused about how the timing was oddly convenient. After all, it was Trump who originally pushed for a TikTok ban during his first term. Now, just as he’s preparing to take office again, he swoops in to “save” the platform.
It’s a narrative that practically writes itself: Trump, the hero who brings back TikTok just in time for his inauguration, where he can capitalise on its massive reach to broadcast the event to millions of young Americans. Whether you love or loathe the man, you’ve got to admit he understands the power of optics.
But let’s take it a step further. What if this was part of a broader plan all along?
Could Musk Play a Role?
Here’s my theory: Trump’s intervention isn’t just about saving TikTok. It’s about paving the way for someone—perhaps Elon Musk—to take over its U.S. operations. Musk has already proven his willingness to dive headfirst into the social media world with his acquisition of Twitter. TikTok, with its unparalleled cultural relevance, would be a logical next step for someone like him.
Trump’s suggestion of joint ownership is also telling. By positioning TikTok as partially U.S.-owned, he could satisfy national security concerns while keeping the app operational. A Musk-led ownership model would not only maintain TikTok’s relevance but also tie it to figures aligned with Trump’s political and economic interests.
Was This All Part of the Plan?
If you look at the sequence of events—the ban, the shutdown, Trump’s intervention—it almost feels like a perfectly choreographed narrative. Trump re-enters the political scene with a bang, portraying himself as the ultimate dealmaker while simultaneously creating a path for new ownership that aligns with his agenda.
Closing Thoughts
Whether or not this was orchestrated, one thing is clear: TikTok’s journey in the United States is far from over. What we’re witnessing is a fascinating intersection of politics, technology, and business, with implications that go far beyond one app.
For now, TikTok users can breathe a sigh of relief, but the question remains: who will ultimately control one of the world’s most influential platforms? If my predictions are correct, we’re just seeing the beginning of a much bigger story.