TikTok ban in the US triggers memes on X:'They couldn’t even give us till midnight DAMN'

TikTok has gone dark in the United States as its anticipated ban took effect on January 19, 2025. The Chinese-owned short-video app was removed from both the iOS App Store and Google’s Play Store, leaving 170 million American users without their beloved platform.

The move follows an April decision by the US Congress, which mandated that ByteDance—TikTok’s parent company—either sell the app to a non-Chinese owner or face a complete shutdown. ByteDance ultimately chose to comply by shutting the app down in the US. However, not all is quiet as the clock ticks toward a new social media era.

As the ban went into effect, users flocked to X (formerly Twitter), where hilarious memes and comical reactions flooded the platform.

One X user posted, “TikTok has officially shut down #TikTok,” while others were quick to share their surprise, with one tweet reading, “Everyone rushing to Twitter because TikTok is gone #TikTokban #TikTok.”

Some fans lamented the abruptness of the shutdown: “They couldn’t even give us till midnight DAMN #TikTok,” tweeted one user.

Humor continued to be a refuge for many users, especially for those looking to cope with the loss of their daily TikTok fix. One X user joked, “Me being one of about 15 people in the country without a TikTok watching everyone else in the country melting down with ITS GONE without their TikTok.”

Meanwhile, another shared a meme about the app refusing to load, exclaiming, “My TikTok not loading anymore!!! Wtffff they pulled the plug before the assigned date!!! I’m refreshing like the mf going to just come back to light!!!!”

For some, the ban stirred more serious conversations. “I sure wish the same energy that was spent in banning TikTok would be put to use in making sure kids are fed, making medicine affordable in this country – among 1 million other things,” tweeted one netizen.

Others, still, took the moment to ponder what’s next. “Canadians on TikTok right now like #TikTok #TikTokban,” wrote another.

As the clock ticks down on the fate of TikTok in the US, President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly suggested a 90-day delay in the ban. This possible reprieve could offer a brief window for the app to return.

In response to the shutdown, TikTok issued a statement, saying, “Divesting is simply not feasible—commercially, technologically, or legally.” The app also confirmed that users would no longer have access, showing a message stating, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S., which means you cannot use TikTok at the moment. However, we are fortunate that President Trump has expressed his intention to collaborate with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he assumes office. Please stay tuned.”