TikTok went down on Saturday, Jan. 18, just hours before a U.S. law banning its distribution was set to take effect.
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When users in the United States try to open the social media application, a pop-up message reading, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now,” greets them.
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now,” the message adds.
The pop-up highlights Donald Trump’s recent statement that he will “most likely” grant TikTok an extension to allow its China-based parent company to sell the platform to a non-Chinese buyer once he assumes office as President of the United States on Monday, January 20
The company concluded with: “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
Tiktok has adjusted their closing message pic.twitter.com/FcnG3BfAcl
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) January 19, 2025
Two days before the deadline, on Friday, Jan. 17, the Supreme Court ruled that the law requiring TikTok to stop U.S. operations if it didn’t sell its Chinese ownership is constitutional. This decision upheld a previous appeals court ruling that the sell-or-ban mandate does not violate the First Amendment.
Donald Trump Declares the United States TikTok Ban ‘Expected’
In a video statement released following the court’s decision, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew refrained from directly commenting on the ruling or outlining the company’s plans. Instead, he expressed gratitude to President-elect Trump “for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States.”
On the same day, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, stating that the court’s decision “was expected. Everyone must respect it.”
“My decision on TikTok will be made in the not-too-distant future. I must have time to review the situation,” he continued. “Stay tuned!”
Meanwhile, literally the rest of the world continues to enjoy the popular social media application. Over on X (formerly Twitter), users in the United States are lamenting the loss of the beloved platform.
People outside the US are posting TikTok’s roasting Americans now that it’s banned here.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 19, 2025
LMAO. pic.twitter.com/fnPbTAXELi
“The land of the free really just banned Tiktok,” one beleaguered X user wrote.
Even tennis phenom Coco Gauff acknowledged the TikTok ban in the United States. She wrote “RIP TikTok USA” on the camera lens after her latest victory at the Australian Open.
Coco Gauff writing “RIP TikTok USA 💔” on the lens after her win 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/u8qbKCCgAW
— Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) January 19, 2025
Some X users even offered some alternatives to TikTok, such as Jeremy Renner’s social media platform attempt, “Jeremy Renner Official.”
TikTok is shut down. Time to go return to the best social media app: pic.twitter.com/qFsv5a4bwF
— kate bush's ex-husband (@airbagged1) January 19, 2025
It’s uncertain what Trump will do, but The Washington Post reported he might issue an executive order after taking office. This would pause the ban for 60 to 90 days, giving time to negotiate a potential sale.