Tiktok was briefly banned in the United States on Jan. 18, due to policies initiated by President Donald Trump, who later attributed to its return by signing an executive order to keep it for 75 more days.
The sudden ban surprised many users, with many swarming to other platforms like X, Instagram, and RedNote, a Chinese social media app similar to TikTok. Users were then welcomed back around 12 hours after the app’s shutdown.
Many expressed sadness and frustration over the ban, as TikTok served as a major source of entertainment, news, community, and learning for millions of people around the country. Dillard students, who use TikTok for content creation and explore their creativity, were also very upset about the ban.
“I feel like America got bigger things to worry about than an app,” says sophomore student Briana Fefie.
During Trump’s first term, he initiated the effort to ban TikTok because he believed it was a threat to the U.S. national security. He argued that the data collection from TikTok could give the Chinese government access to information about American users. Now he has signed an extension, some speculating that he is attempting to frame himself as the app’s savior.
Trump stated in his Truth Social post that he plans 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.”
When users were allowed to access TikTok again, they received a notification that read: “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
“I thought it was funny when I first seen the notification,” Johari Smith, a sophomore student explains. “But now I don’t know how I feel about using it. I don’t support Trump.”
Speculation has increased that TikTok could be in the process of being sold to an American company.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, made a statement regarding the situation: “On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,”
Notably, Jimmy Donaldson, also known as Mr. Beast, made an offer to purchase TikTok through an American investor group led by Jesse Tinsley, who is spearheading an all-cash offer to buy the app from ByteDance. Amid these developments, Chew was seen attending Trump’s inauguration celebration.
Some users have voiced opposition to the app being sold to an American company. They fear that Trump’s involvement could lead to stricter content regulations, shadowbanning particular
topics like support of Palestine or other global issues.
“I see it as another way to restrict freedom of speech and promote more conservative ideas,” says Kennedy Timmons, junior visual arts major. “America has already been doing this. TikTok is the last big platform that’s not.”
As the situation continues to develop, many are left questioning the future of TikTok in the U.S. and its potential impact on free speech and digital freedom.
