Influencers are overjoyed after TikTok went back online following a short-lived blackout across America.
The popular video-sharing platform came back to life after just a few hours on Sunday as new President Donald Trump declared his intention to reverse the government's ban on the app.
TikTok said it was “in the process of restoring service” as some users reported regaining access to the social media platform – with limited functionality initially.
Influencers who filmed themselves breaking down under the ban in what appeared to be its final moments posted triumphant videos hours later on Sunday afternoon as the app slowly returned to service.
'OMG IS THIS REAL GUYS??? I'm so happy,” wrote lifestyle creator Danielle Phe.
She followed up with a dance video in which she said, “I guess I can cancel that interview tomorrow,” as her source of income was restored.
Alix Earle, who is known as TikTok's “it girl” thanks to the popularity of her “Get Ready With Me” confessional videos, was one of the first to post a video.
“Are you telling me that I've been sitting here crying for the past two days, and now the app is back?” the 24-year-old told her 7.2 million followers after the ban was lifted. “All I'm saying is, thank God I didn't put the last thing I had in the drafts.”
Alix Earle, who is known as TikTok's “it girl” thanks to the popularity of her “Get Ready With Me” confessional videos, was one of the first to post a video when TikTok was reinstated on Sunday
TikTokers posted their reactions as the video-sharing app came back to life after just a few hours on Sunday, as incoming President Donald Trump stepped in to reverse the shutdown
Trump responded to the ban by saying he would sign an executive order on Monday to delay it
Earle earlier filmed herself bursting into tears about the possibility of the app that made her famous being shut down.
Another influencer, Emily Senn, posted a sheepish video in which she admitted she “totally freaked out” about “leaving” TikTok, only to return sixteen hours later.
Some filmed themselves having an existential crisis over the rapid turnaround on the ban.
“Did we all panic for nothing?” TikTok creator Madilynn Cameron said. 'Was this a joke? What's happening? Can you see this? Can you see me? Am I real?'
Others posted triumphant videos of themselves beaming with friends as they did celebratory dances.
'Tests, one, two three. My app just started working. Will this video be posted?' influencer Sasha Mixon told her 1.4 million followers back in her first video.
Content creator Halley Kate also filmed herself screaming and jumping around as she celebrated not having to find a job.
TikTok has confirmed that it is working on fixing the app. “TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company's statement read on Sunday.
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will not be penalized for bringing TikTok to more than 170 million Americans and helping more than seven million small businesses thrive.”
“It's a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
Some filmed themselves having an existential crisis over the rapid turnaround on the ban. “Did we all panic for nothing?” said TikTok creator Madilynn Cameron (shown above)
TikTok has confirmed it is working to restore the app and thanks former President Trump for his intervention as the social media platform shows the first signs of recovery
The exact number of users who have regained access so far is unclear. There are a total of 170 million Americans on the app, and they all lost access after the Supreme Court approved a nationwide ban early Sunday.
Later Media CEO Scott Sutton confirmed the partial restoration on X (formerly Twitter). 'TikTok is active again and works on desktop! It appears services are slowly coming back online,” he wrote.
Minutes later, Sutton noticed the app's limitation.
“Access to the TikTok app is back, but no content other than mine is loading, and all engagement history on posts is missing,” he said.
Trump responded to the ban by saying he would sign an executive order on Monday to delay it.
The ban came after Congress passed legislation requiring Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell its shares by January 19, 2025.
With no deal in place, the fate of the platform hangs in the balance.
The Supreme Court ruling confirmed that the ban does not violate users' First Amendment rights.
Some influencers posted triumphant videos of themselves with friends beaming at the camera and doing celebratory dances
TikTokers celebrated as the app came back to life and their source of income was restored
Trump wrote on Truth Social that he wanted Americans to watch his inauguration via TikTok on Monday as he called for the ban to be lifted.
'I ask companies not to let TikTok stay dark!' Trump wrote that on Sunday.
“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period before the bans go into effect so we can reach a deal to protect our national security.
“The order will also confirm that there is no liability for any company that helped prevent TikTok from going dark before my order.
“Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations.
“I would like to see the United States have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and let it speak.
'Without American approval there is no Tik Tok. With our approval, it's worth hundreds of billions of dollars, maybe even trillions.
“Therefore, my first thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners, with the US getting a 50% stake in a joint venture set up between the US, whichever purchase we choose.”
