• TikTok briefly went offline but was restored Sunday after Trump's intervention before taking office.
• Trump signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of a TikTok ban for 75 days.
• Concerns remain regarding ByteDance’s control and the national security implications of TikTok's ownership.
• Both Apple and Google have not yet reinstated TikTok on their app stores, adding to the app's uncertainties.
• Bipartisan support in Congress reflects a reluctance to alienate TikTok's large user base.

This weekend's events surrounding TikTok mark a turning point in the ongoing saga of the popular social media app, which has seen significant political maneuvering and changing attitudes amongst lawmakers. According to CNN, TikTok briefly went offline late Saturday as the deadline for compliance with a congressional ban approached, only to be restored by midday Sunday, fueled by actions from former President Donald Trump before his inauguration.

Upon formally taking office, Trump signed an executive order that pauses the enforcement of the TikTok ban set forth by Congress until early April, giving his administration time to explore potential outcomes. The law, upheld by the Supreme Court, mandated that TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance, must divest its U.S. operations or face an outright ban. This law was passed with bipartisan support amidst fears of national security risks posed by Chinese ownership, as noted by Forbes.

In his new directive, Trump instructed the Justice Department not to enforce the ban for 75 days, suggesting that he aims to facilitate negotiations for a possible sale to U.S.-based buyers, as mentioned by HuffPost. Lawmakers on both sides appear willing to overlook the existing law to prevent alienating TikTok's significant user base of 170 million Americans. “It looks to me like we’re engaged in a game of whack-a-mole,” remarked Sen. John Cornyn, highlighting the precarious nature of political negotiations surrounding the app.

Despite the executive order, key players in the tech industry remain hesitant. Notably, both Apple and Google have yet to restore TikTok in their app stores due to apprehensions over legal liability, as pointed out by experts. The pause can be seen as a temporary reprieve, but questions linger regarding the future implications should the agreement or extension of the ban prove contentious, according to AP News.

Trump’s evolving stance on TikTok has shifted remarkably since his first term, where he attempted to ban the app over national security concerns, stating that TikTok's data practices could allow the “Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information.” In a notable change, he now claims TikTok holds substantial value for younger voters, suggesting, “If China is going to get information about young kids, I don't know ... I think we have bigger problems than that,” as reported by USA Today.

Looking ahead, Trump's administration will likely navigate complex negotiations with both ByteDance and congressional leaders while balancing the interests of millions of American TikTok users. The stakes are high; as negotiations unfold, various parties ponder how to address the potential sale of TikTok and whether legitimacy will ultimately be bestowed upon Trump's efforts to safeguard the app in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. For further insights, see the comprehensive coverage by Forbes, AP News, and many more sources.