January 19, 2025 | Joe Blackstone | Leave a comment Over the past sixteen hours, TikTok has engaged in the ancient Chinese practice of prostration known as 叩頭, usually romanized as kowtow . . . virtually, of course. On background, a law took effect today in the US, banning TikTok. As written, the law would take effect 270 days from the day it is signed by the president, and that puts the deadline today. The law requires that TikTok transfer to American ownership. The law provides for one, exactly one, extension of 90 days, with the precondition that there is a sale pending. Last night around 10 PM Eastern time, TikTok went offline and the KowTow began. Here’s a screenshot: Right out of the gate, TikTok is pinning their hopes on reaching a deal with the incoming President. Not so fast. In order for the ban to go away, the site must sell itself to American owners, or the law has to be repealed. The sitting President has no power over that, and the — let me remind you — NOT YET SITTING President has even less power over that. Regardless, nothing’s changing until January 20th, right? So Imagine my surprise when I found out about this: Yup, they’re back, and they’re crediting the — again, let me remind you — NOT YET SITTING soon-to-be President Trump for this turn of events. I don’t yet have a good explanation for WTF is going on here, but I don’t like it.