⏰ TikTok’s 75-day lifeline, Instagram’s creator cash grab

Hi there, and welcome back to another edition of Curious Creator.

This week: TikTok gets a 75-day breather, Trump pitches a U.S.-majority stake, and Instagram waves cash at creators to steal the spotlight.

TikTok ban drama gets a 75-day reprieve, courtesy of Trump

The extension: President Trump has signed an executive order delaying enforcement of the TikTok ban law for 75 days, aiming to “protect national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown.” The order halts penalties for noncompliance and shields companies like Oracle, Apple, and Google from repercussions as TikTok continues to navigate its uncertain future.

What’s at stake

• Trump’s proposal: A 50% U.S. stake in TikTok is on the table, though it’s unclear if that means government ownership, a U.S. tech giant like Elon Musk’s X, or another entity.

• China’s role: Approval from the Chinese government remains a wildcard, especially since ByteDance’s prized recommendation algorithm is off-limits for export.

The nostalgia factor: Trump’s suggestion of a U.S.-majority-owned TikTok revives echoes of the 2020 TikTok Global deal, where Oracle and Walmart were set to own 20%, with U.S. investors indirectly controlling over 50%. Back then, concerns lingered about ByteDance retaining effective control. Would a rehashed deal fare better? It’s a question only the next three months can answer.

TikTok’s MAGA pivot: The platform has gone full tilt toward appeasing Trump. At a Washington party celebrating conservative influencers, TikTok pulled out all the stops—MAGA merch, Trump-themed cocktails, and a playlist stacked with Republican creators’ content. It’s clear TikTok is leaning into Trump’s favor as it works to survive the political turmoil.

The big picture: For now, TikTok users can breathe a little easier, but the clock is ticking. Trump’s move buys time for negotiation, but whether it leads to a sustainable solution—or just more chaos—is anyone’s guess. With TikTok’s MAGA charm offensive and the looming specter of tariffs on China, the next 75 days are bound to be a spectacle.

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Instagram throws cash at TikTok creators amid uncertainty

The move: Instagram is capitalizing on TikTok’s turbulence, offering creators with massive TikTok followings up to $50,000 per month—or more—to post exclusive videos on Reels. These deals aim to lure creators during TikTok’s rocky period and keep Instagram relevant with younger users.

Why it matters

• Cash on the table: The payouts are significantly higher than Meta’s previous incentives for Reels creators, showing how serious Instagram is about this strategy.

• Exclusivity rules: Creators must post exclusively to Instagram for a set period before sharing their content elsewhere.

The context: TikTok faced a brief shutdown in the U.S. last weekend as federal law pushed for its separation from Chinese parent company ByteDance. Though back online, the app remains unavailable for new downloads, leaving its creators and users in limbo.

What Instagram is doing

• New features: Instagram recently tweaked Reels to mimic TikTok further, extending video lengths to three minutes and introducing a new video-editing app, Edits, as a CapCut clone.

• Youth appeal: Instagram head Adam Mosseri has emphasized creators as central to retaining young users—a demographic crucial to the app’s growth.

Challenges ahead

While Instagram’s timing is opportunistic, it’s not all smooth sailing:

• Competition: Other platforms, like China’s RedNote, are also scooping up TikTok users.

• Backlash: Internal criticism over Meta’s alignment with Trump policies could alienate some creators, complicating efforts to attract them.

The big picture: Instagram’s big cash offers and TikTok-inspired updates might help it seize the moment, but retaining creator loyalty and younger audiences in the long run will require more than just riding TikTok’s troubles. For now, the race to woo creators is on.

Today’s top news

• X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube sign EU pledge to tackle hate speech.

• Bluesky and X launch new video feeds amid TikTok uncertainties.

• TikTok’s CEO sat next to Trump’s national intelligence director pick at the inauguration.