‘This Was All a Stunt’: TikTok Trolled for Coming Back Online Hours After Shutdown

TikTok.
CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty

TikTok announced it would restore access to the app to more than 170 million Americans on Sunday, hours after President-elect Donald Trump promised to grant its parent company a short reprieve from a national ban.

In a note posted to X, it thanked Trump for agreeing not to enforce the ban.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” it wrote from its policy X account. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”

TikTok completed its effusive praise for Trump in a notice to users when they open the app. “Thanks for your patience and support,” the notice read. “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”

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The move came after Trump wrote he would sign an executive order on Monday delaying the enforcement of a law that demands ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based owner, sell the app over national security concerns. He also promised tech companies there would be “no liability” should they restore access to the app and its services before his order was signed.

“Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” he wrote.

A solution he proposed was a joint venture between the U.S. and “the current owners and/or new owners,” allowing the platform to stay active. “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up,” he wrote. “Without U.S. approval, there is no Tik Tok.”

TikTok said on Sunday it “will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”

Users were split under the post over its lavish praise of the president-elect. Some lauded Trump for his public efforts in getting the app back online while others blasted the app for capitulating to a politician who initially wanted it banned years ago.

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“this was all a stunt to make trump look good,” one poster wrote.

“It’s been less than 24 hours and you’re already coming back? Y’all have no shame,” another poster responded. “All of this has just been a wasted attempt to try to make Trump look better.”