Sun Jan 19 11:50:00 UTC 2025: ## TikTok Temporarily Banned in US Despite Trump’s Potential Reprieve

**Washington, January 19, 2025** – TikTok was effectively removed from US app stores on Saturday, January 18th, after a Supreme Court ruling upheld a law banning the platform unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sold it to a non-Chinese entity. The ban, implemented just before its scheduled enforcement, resulted in a pop-up message within the app informing users of its temporary unavailability.

While the app’s removal followed a legal battle lasting months, the decision has sparked considerable last-minute political maneuvering. President-elect Donald Trump indicated he might issue a 90-day reprieve, an option allowed under the law if progress toward a sale is demonstrable. Trump, who has publicly expressed admiration for TikTok’s ability to engage younger voters, has discussed the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Despite the potential reprieve, ByteDance has thus far refused to sell. Outgoing President Biden’s administration has stated it will leave the decision to Trump, with White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre dismissing TikTok’s statements as a “stunt.” TikTok CEO Shou Chew has directly appealed to Trump for a solution.

Several last-minute proposals emerged to avoid a complete sale. Perplexity AI, a highly-valued startup, proposed a merger with TikTok’s US subsidiary, potentially creating a new joint venture worth at least $50 billion. Another offer, from former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, with Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary involved, valued TikTok’s US operations at $20 billion. However, legal experts caution that an executive order by Trump might not override the existing law.

The ban’s immediate impact is significant. Apple and Google face penalties for allowing access, and Oracle, which hosts TikTok’s servers, must also enforce the ban. Competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are expected to benefit from TikTok’s absence, while the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu has already seen a surge in downloads. The situation remains fluid, with the ultimate fate of TikTok in the US hanging in the balance pending Trump’s decision on Monday.

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