Generation Z influencers upset after the Biden administration’s ban on TikTok caused the social media platform to shut down for 12 hours, all saying one thing after their beloved app resumed operations on Sunday: Thank you, President Trump.
“I’ve got to be real, I’m just falling apart… this is so dystopian,” he said makeup artist James Charles in an Instagram post on Saturday that has received more than 800,000 likes. Charles lamented that he no longer had access to the app that had become such a force in his life.
“I’m rooting for Trump now eew, make America the f*cking king great again I guess.”
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President-elect Trump is shown in front of the TikTok logo. (Getty Images)
More than 170 million US users were unable to access TikTok on Saturday night, with the app displaying a message saying it would be offline until further notice. The app was no longer available on Google or the App store. The Biden administration signed legislation requiring TikTok’s parent corporation Bytedance, which is linked to the Chinese Communist Party, to divest from the company in April or face being shut down in the United States. The Supreme Court upheld the law on Friday.
“A law has been passed in the US that bans TikTok. Unfortunately, this means you can’t use TikTok for now,” the message read in part. The next morning, users were greeted with a new notification that the app had resumed operation “as a result of President Trump’s efforts.”
Influencers were quick to celebrate the continued operation of their favorite social media app, with users praising President-elect Trump for helping to reinstate TikTok after he said he was likely to grant the app a 90-day extension to comply with the law.
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TikTok influencers have expressed their displeasure after the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a federal law to take down TikTok. (Screenshot/Alex Pearlman/Emily Senn/Madilynn Cameron)
“My birthday wish came true!!! Make TikTok great again! Worst 10 hours of my life,” it posted TikTok user JFernandez81 Sunday, along with a video of the influencer lip-synching the lyrics to “you are appreciated” from 2pac’s Dear Mama.
“Thank you! Thank you Mr. Trump! We love you! We love you Pope,” TikTok user soyelmajedelvideooficial posted in a video that got over 2000 likes.
Influencer Kristina Dunn attributed to the incoming president with the app’s return to the web, saying “he’s the reason why TikTok is back,” she said while wearing a T-shirt with the pre-selected character on it.
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Even TikTok CEO Shou Chew thanked Trump for his efforts to keep his app online in the United States.
“I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to working with us to find solutions that keep TikTok available in the United States,” Chew said in a video posted Friday on his TikTok channel.
