James Charles Sparks sparks controversy over TikTok ban comments

Among millions TikTok users affected by the shutdown, a YouTuber and a beauty influencer James Charles shared her unfiltered reaction in an Instagram shoutout.

Late Saturday night, TikTok's 170 million American users were hit with a sudden shutdown when the app went offline, displaying a stark message: “A law has been passed in the US that bans TikTok. Unfortunately, this means you can't use TikTok now.” The app, along with ByteDance-owned Lemon8 and CapCut was pulled from the Apple and Google Play stores, leaving users without access to the popular platforms.

James Charles was visibly shaken by the suspension, prompting him to express his frustration.

The move is 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 before the ban, the sudden blackout shocked users and searching for answers, including James Charles.

“Right now I'm freaking out. I don't know what to do. It's so dystopian! Charles said in the emotional post. “First of all, I feel sorry for getting so upset because my phone (becomes) unavailable. But this was also a huge part of our lives for the last six years.”

“Usually when something happens, I go on TikTok and start complaining and I can't do that. I feel disconnected. I feel disconnected from the world and my community,” Charles added. “It's crazy.”

In a surprising twist, Charles ended his speech with a sarcastic remark: “I think America is becoming great again,” seemingly signaling a shift in his political views as he grapples with the effects of Prohibition.

After hearing Charles' rant, many X users lashed out at the beauty influencer. “Nothing will make me support him. Also, why would losing an app make someone so upset as…? It's really not that serious.”

The user added: “People ARE and they were fine before TikTok, we'll be fine after LMFAO.”

“Imagine rooting for Trump in public,” wrote another.

“How are you a grumpy bottom and a Republican? He's so embarrassing,” replied a third.

Despite the closure, the decision may not be final. President-elect Donald Trump suggested in a phone interview about NBC Meet the Press that TikTok could get a 90-day break. Trump said he is likely to extend a deadline for ByteDance, TikTok's parent company in China, to sell its operations to a US buyer other than China.

“I think that would certainly be an option that we're looking at. A 90-day extension will probably be done because it's appropriate,” Trump said. “If I decide to do that, I'll probably announce it on Monday.”

Under current law, the president has the power to grant a one-time 90-day extension to delay the ban on TikTok, but only if three key conditions are met. The president must assure Congress that there is a clear path to divestment, that “substantial progress” has been made toward it, and that binding legal agreements are in place to ensure that divestment can be completed within the extension period.

So far, such binding legal agreements have not been made public. Even if a last-minute buyer emerged, acquiring TikTok's US operations would likely require a deal worth tens of billions of dollars.

For now, TikTok remains offline in the US, leaving creators, companies and users in limbo. The app's ban has sparked outrage on social media, with many questioning the motives behind the ban and its wider impact on free speech and digital culture.

As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, all eyes are on his decision about TikTok's future in the US. A potential 90-day hiatus could offer a temporary solution, but the app's long-term fate remains uncertain.

For millions of Americans like James Charles, shutting down TikTok means more than just losing the platform — it's cutting off a digital community that has become an integral part of their daily lives.