Mock funeral held for TikTok in New York ahead of brief US shutdown

On January 17, mourners gathered for a mock funeral in New York City in response to the news that TikTok may be "forced" to shut down on January 19. The event took place in Washington Square Park, where a video recorded by Ava Kramer captured an inflatable doll wearing TikTok-branded clothing lying inside a casket. 

Kramer, who filmed the event, explained that attendees were provided with flowers and candles to place around the casket as part of the mock ceremony. The event was organized by comedian Zach Sage Fox. 

Courtesy: Getty Images

Reports indicated that TikTok officially shut down on Saturday night, leading to confusion and concern among users. However, by Sunday afternoon, the platform was making efforts to restore its services. This came after President-elect Donald Trump made a statement on Truth Social, where he announced plans to "issue an executive order on Monday" to delay the enforcement of the law that would lead to TikTok's shutdown.

On Sunday, users were once again able to access TikTok, with a notification appearing that read, "As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US." The reversal sparked relief among TikTok fans, though the situation remained uncertain, with many wondering how long this reprieve would last. 

The events unfolded as part of a dramatic back-and-forth over the future of TikTok in the United States, highlighting both the platform's cultural impact and the political tension surrounding its existence.