# TikTok’s Chaotic Weekend: A Legal and Political Turmoil
TikTok, the widely-used short video application boasting over 170 million users in the U.S., found itself embroiled in a tumultuous weekend filled with legal disputes, political strategies, and technological issues. The app temporarily vanished from American devices, only to resurface with a hint of possible resolution under former President Donald Trump’s influence. Nonetheless, TikTok’s future is shrouded in uncertainty as it faces ongoing legal obstacles, political pressures, and the ever-present risk of a nationwide prohibition.
## **The Weekend Outage**
Late Saturday evening, TikTok users across the U.S. encountered an unsettling message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now,” followed by an explanation that a federal law banning the app had come into force. This legislation, enacted in 2024, mandates TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership or risk a total shutdown in the U.S. A unanimous Supreme Court decision last week upheld this law, leaving TikTok with scant options.
By Sunday morning, however, the app began to exhibit signs of revival. Users with TikTok already installed on their devices were able to log into their accounts, welcomed by a message stating “Welcome back,” attributing the restoration to “President Trump’s efforts.” Despite this partial comeback, new downloads of the app remained blocked on both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, with notices citing adherence to U.S. legal mandates.
## **Trump’s Role**
Former President Donald Trump, poised for potential re-inauguration, swiftly positioned himself as a crucial figure in the TikTok situation. On Sunday, he revealed via Truth Social that he would sign an executive order extending the compliance timeline for TikTok. He asserted that this decision would create space for negotiating a solution that addresses national security apprehensions while allowing the app to continue operating.
Trump also proposed the concept of a partnership where the United States would possess a 50% ownership stake. “So they’ll have a partner, the United States, and they’ll have a lot of bidders,” Trump indicated during a rally. However, he did not elaborate on whether this partnership would include a U.S.-based entity or the federal government directly.
## **Legal and Political Hurdles**
Trump’s proposed executive order has already ignited debate and doubt. Legal analysts and Republican figures have pointed out that the 2024 law lacks a provision for extending its effective date without a definitive strategy for divestiture. House Speaker Mike Johnson, along with Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts, has openly criticized any efforts to postpone enforcing the law, stressing the necessity of adhering to its stipulations.
The Supreme Court’s ruling to affirm the law was anchored in national security issues, highlighting the potential dangers posed by ByteDance’s access to American user information. The court characterized the law as “content-neutral” and validated the government’s choice to single out TikTok for special treatment. This decision has left TikTok with minimal legal alternatives, making compliance with the law—or a sale to a U.S.-based company—its only feasible pathways.
## **Potential Purchasers and Negotiation Leverage**
Reports have emerged indicating that ByteDance might be considering selling TikTok to adhere to the law and lessen the effects of possible U.S. tariffs on imports from China. One notable scenario involves a sale to Elon Musk, an ally of Trump and a well-known tech mogul. This strategy could function as a valuable bargaining tool for ByteDance, enabling it to address U.S. concerns while preserving some degree of influence over the app’s direction.
## **Collateral Consequences: The Marvel Snap Situation**
The TikTok ban has also resulted in unforeseen repercussions for other ByteDance-owned entities. Marvel Snap, a well-liked mobile card game developed by a California team and published under ByteDance’s Nuverse division, vanished from app stores over the weekend. Unlike TikTok, Marvel Snap lacks a web-based option, leaving its players unable to access the game. A statement from the game’s developers expressed astonishment at the disruption and pledged to rectify the situation promptly.
## **The Future of TikTok?**
As TikTok begins partial operations anew in the U.S., its future remains ambiguous. The app confronts major legal and political challenges, including the necessity to comply with the divest-or-sell requirement and navigate the intricacies of U.S.-China relations. While Trump’s involvement may signal a flicker of hope for TikTok’s persistence, it simultaneously raises questions regarding the legality and practicality of his proposed approaches.
For the time being, TikTok users and interested parties can only observe as the app’s destiny unfolds in the legal system, on Capitol Hill, and within the boardrooms of prospective buyers. One thing is certain: the TikTok narrative is far from concluded, and its resolution will have significant consequences for the tech sector, international diplomacy, and millions of users.
