While the deadline for the TikTok ban was January 19, it seems many in the U.S. started losing access to the app as soon as Saturday night. Among the countless creators who took to other apps such as Instagram to share the “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now,” message was LSU gymnastics star Olivia Dunne. She and several other athletes shared similar images.

2024 Olympic bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik took to X to update his bio to “No longer haver of TikTok.” In fact, the Olympian even updated his cover picture with the message Dunne shared on her Instagram stories. However, as athletes lamented the closure of another avenue that helped them earn revenue, MrBeast, and Donald Trump gave them a ray of hope.

MrBeast didn’t make any promises in a mysterious message

While Olivia Dunne took to social media to write, I’m sad, and “time to get the LinkedIn ready,” many of the 170 million TikTok users in the U.S. sought help from famous social media influencers. X-use Kira, tagged MrBeast on X, desperately asking for help. “SAVE TIKTOK. PLEASEEE DO SOMETHING @MRBEAST,” the user wrote in all-caps while tagging MrBeast.

However, to many people’s surprise, MrBeast actually responded to the comment. “Can’t say anything right now, stay tuned.” wrote MrBeast aka, James Stephen Donaldson. However, one of the most followed influencers didn’t elaborate on what was going on behind the scenes. However, Jimmy wasn’t the only one giving hope to athletes and influencers such as Olivia Dunne.

President-elect Donald Trump has also stepped in to make his intentions clear about solving the TikTok ban. In fact, according to the Guardian, TikTok has even thanked Trump for his intentions to solve the problem. “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned,” the Guardian reported.

However, the question remains: Why are athletes such as Olivia Dunne, Stephen Nedoroscik, and even volleyball stars such as Ally Batenhorst, and several others so upset about TikTok being banned? And will either MrBeast or Donald Trump be able to reverse the ban?

Why the TikTok ban is a huge loss for athlete-influencers such as Olivia Dunne

TikTok, like all other social media platforms, gave something every athlete desperately needs, and that’s exposure. However, the reason TikTok became so popular is that the app became the trendsetter in the U.S. Despite not boasting the highest user base, the ByteDance-owned app became a trendsetter. College athletes such as Livvy Dunne especially benefited, as earning millions of followers also helped them earn revenue.

With 8 million followers on TikTok, Olivia Dunne is arguably facing the biggest loss. TikTok was essential in helping the gymnastics icon reach the massive $4.5 million NIL valuation. However, with the app gone, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Dunne and many other athletes’ NIL valuations possibly take a hit, unless the efforts of MrBeast or Donald Trump pay off.

Although Mr. Beast hasn’t disclosed what he plans to do, Trump has divulged a lot more details. Despite originally kicking off the initiative to ban the app for security reasons in 2020, Trump took a liking to the app during his 2024 presidential campaign. On Saturday, Trump explained what he plans to do with issues once taking office as president for the second time.

The 78-year-old explained he may give the app an extension to sort out the issue. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate… If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” Trump told NBC. However, trying to buy out the U.S. arm, as MrBeast may be planning, will likely end in no resolution once again.

According to the Guardian, TikTok has already said that selling the U.S. operation is “simply not possible: not commercially, not technologically, not legally.” So despite the possibility of a reprieve, Olivia Dunne and her fellow athletes have to find an alternative, at least for now.