TikTok is back online in the U.S., offering a lifeline to millions of small businesses that rely on the platform for growth. Former President Donald Trump announced the move at a rally on Sunday, pledging to save the app ahead of his return to office on Monday. “We have no choice. We have to save it,” Trump told supporters, emphasizing TikTok’s role in the success of over 7 million small businesses and its 170 million U.S. users.
The app had gone dark late Saturday following the enactment of a national security law banning TikTok over concerns that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could misuse American user data. Trump stepped in, extending the timeline for the app’s shutdown and proposing a solution: a joint venture giving the U.S. a 50% ownership stake, ensuring greater oversight.
TikTok confirmed it is working to restore full service and thanked Trump for providing clarity to its service providers, who feared penalties for keeping the app running. Despite this progress, TikTok remains unavailable for download on Apple and Google app stores as of Sunday night.
For small business owners, the platform’s temporary shutdown was a major disruption. Many use TikTok not just for advertising but also as a direct sales tool through TikTok Shop, its e-commerce arm.
China’s foreign ministry responded to the developments, with spokesperson Mao Ning calling on the U.S. to provide fair treatment to foreign companies and noting TikTok’s deep connection with American users.
Trump’s decision to revive TikTok is a significant reversal from his 2020 efforts to ban the platform over similar concerns. Recently, however, he acknowledged its value in engaging younger audiences, even crediting the app with helping him win over voters in the 2024 election.
Still, some Republican lawmakers remain skeptical, insisting that ByteDance must sever all ties with China to comply with U.S. law.
As negotiations continue, TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration, signaling efforts to secure the platform’s future. With the app’s U.S. operations valued at up to $50 billion, its return offers small businesses renewed hope and highlights the growing role of digital platforms in entrepreneurial success.
