The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is a congressional act that was signed on April 24, 2024, that would ban social media services that the President determined to be foreign adversary-controlled applications. This act specifically pertains to applications under the parent company ByteDance Ltd., which includes the viral app TikTok.
On January 18, 2025—the day before the planned ban—TikTok suspended their services temporarily.
On January 19, 2025, Donald Trump sent a Truth Social post stating that he wanted TikTok back online so people could post about his inauguration tomorrow.
He says that no service provider for Tiktok will be fined if they allow it to stay online. TikTok listened and returned their services online after posting a statement thanking Trump.
TikTok user @BalloonSt3w shares, “It is very obviously propaganda.”
“People forget propaganda comes from EVERYWHERE. All the way from the app shutting down early to the little ‘As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!’ It was a big sham to get us to freak out and flock to Trump.”
Trump says that he will sign a 90-day extension for TikTok’s services. He also proposed the idea of a U.S.-based company buying 50% of TikTok so the protection of U.S. consumer data is protected through a collaborative effort of both China and America.
Instagram user @x4rstt says, “It was definitely planned, Trump is the one who started the whole TikTok ban as far as I know, why would he then ‘save’ it if not to try and get more supporters?”
“Also, TikTok definitely got sold to Meta; that’s the only logical conclusion really.”
However, the resumption of TikTok’s services wasn’t the only interesting thing that came from Trump’s inauguration. Elon Musk was present to speak at Trump’s inauguration event. During this, he makes a hand gesture to the crowd that many say resembles a Nazi salute.
With this, the inaugural prayer service was also a point of conversation with many. Bishop Mariann Budde pleads with President Trump to have mercy upon immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals. This moment had many praising Bishop Mariann Budde, but also had many criticizing her, saying that her plea was unnecessary and out of touch.
