Among the millions of TikTok Users affected by the shutdown, YouTubers and beauty influencers James Charles shared his unfiltered reaction in an Instagram rant.
Late Saturday evening, TikTok’s 170 million American users were hit by an abrupt shutdown when the app went offline and displayed the prominent message: “A law has been passed in the United States banning TikTok. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok now.” The app, along with Lemon8 and CapCut, which are owned by ByteDance, have been removed from the Apple and Google Play stores, meaning users no longer have access to the popular platforms.
The shutdown left James Charles visibly shaken and prompted him to express his frustration.
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James Charles says he’s now ‘on Trump’s side’
The move represents a significant disruption for millions of Americans who rely on TikTok for news, entertainment, community and, in many cases, their livelihood. While TikTok had warned of a possible shutdown in the weeks leading up to the ban, the The sudden power outage left users in a state of shock and looking for answers, including James Charles.
“I’m just about to raise hell. I don’t know what to do. This is so dystopian!” Charles said in the emotional post. “First of all, I find it pathetic that I’m freaking out because an application on my phone is no longer available. But this has also been an important part of our lives over the last six years.”
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“When something happens, I usually go on TikTok and start complaining, and I can’t do that. I feel isolated. I feel cut off from the world and my community,” Charles added. “This is crazy.”
Surprisingly, Charles ended his rant with a sarcastic remark: “Make America f***ing great again, I guess,” seemingly signaling a shift in his political views as he grappled with the impact of Prohibition.
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Social media users condemn James Charles
After hearing Charles’ rant, many X users criticized the beauty influencer. “Nothing will make me support him. And why does losing an app make someone upset like…? It’s really not that bad.”
The user added: “Before TikTok people existed and were fine, after LMFAO we will be fine.”
“Imagine publicly supporting Trump,” wrote another.
“How are you doing as a sassy ass and a Republican?” He’s so embarrassing,” replied a third.
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Donald Trump could introduce a 90-day extension
Despite the closure, the decision may not be final. President-elect Donald Trump suggested during a telephone interview NBC’s Meet the Press that TikTok could receive a 90-day reprieve. Trump said he would likely extend the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to sell its U.S. operations to a non-Chinese buyer.
“I think that would certainly be an option that we are looking at. The 90-day extension will most likely go ahead because it is reasonable,” Trump said. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”
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The possible next steps to save TikTok
Under current law, the president has the authority to grant a one-time 90-day extension to postpone the TikTok ban, but only if three key conditions are met. The President must certify to Congress that there is a clear path to divestment, that “significant progress” has been made toward implementation, and that binding legal agreements are in place to ensure divestment can be completed within the extension period.
To date, no such binding legal agreements have been published. Even if a last-minute buyer were found, acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations would likely require a deal worth tens of billions of dollars.
TikTok is shutting down in the US
TikTok remains offline in the US for now, leaving creators, companies and users in limbo. The app’s shutdown has sparked outrage on social media, with many questioning the rationale behind the ban and its broader impact on free speech and digital culture.
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, all eyes are on his decision regarding the future of TikTok in the US. A possible 90-day grace period could be a temporary fix, but the long-term fate of the app remains uncertain.
For millions of Americans like James Charles, the shutdown of TikTok means more than just the loss of a platform — it’s the disruption of a digital community that has become an integral part of their daily lives.
