By: Stephanie Peterson
January 18th 2025

As President Biden’s term comes to an end and Donald Trump prepares to take the reins once again, the digital world faces a pivotal moment. TikTok, the wildly popular platform that defined an era of creativity, may face a U.S. ban on January 19, 2025—just one day before Trump’s inauguration. Meanwhile, questions swirl about the role of tech billionaires like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, who are set to appear alongside Trump’s cabinet on Inauguration Day. Is this a moment of political theater, or are we witnessing the rise of a new oligarchy?
January 2025
As we step into 2025, the once-fiery debates about Universal Music and TikTok’s licensing disputes have been eclipsed by a far graver issue: TikTok’s very existence in the U.S. hangs by a thread. Here’s what we know:
1. Why is TikTok at risk of being banned? The U.S. government has long expressed concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership and the potential for data privacy breaches. The January 19 deadline for TikTok to sell its U.S. operations looms large. Without a deal, the platform may face an outright ban—a decision that could send shockwaves through its massive user base and countless creators who rely on it for their livelihoods.
2. What’s Trump’s role? True to form, Trump has injected uncertainty into the situation. He recently hinted at granting TikTok a 90-day extension to avoid a ban, a move some view as strategic brinkmanship. Whether it’s to pressure TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, or to secure a political win, Trump’s actions underscore the platform’s precarious position.
3. Why did Zuckerberg end Facebook’s fact-checking? In a parallel development, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook would abandon its fact-checking initiatives. The platform’s pivot to a more deregulated approach, akin to Elon Musk’s X, has raised eyebrows. Critics argue that this decision diminishes accountability, allowing misinformation to thrive. It’s a move that aligns with broader shifts among tech giants as they consolidate power.
4. Are we seeing the rise of an oligarchy? The upcoming Inauguration Day will feature Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos standing shoulder to shoulder with Trump’s cabinet. This convergence of political and corporate elites has sparked fears of an emerging oligarchy. With control over social media platforms, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure, these figures wield unprecedented influence over the flow of information and economic systems in America.
Universal Music vs. TikTok: The Mass Muting Mystery
January 2024
In January 2024, TikTok faced a different kind of crisis. Universal Music Group (UMG) had pulled its entire catalog from TikTok’s audio library, leading to what creators dubbed the "Mute-pocalypse." The decision left millions of videos muted and sparked outrage among users and creators alike.
Universal Music: The Industry Titan
Universal Music Group (UMG) was a behemoth in the entertainment world, boasting a portfolio of legendary artists and iconic tracks. With a history of negotiating tough licensing deals, UMG was no stranger to asserting control over its content. By 2024, the rise of social media platforms had made UMG one of the most influential players in determining how music was distributed online.
TikTok: The Viral Hit Machine
TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media platform, had become a cultural phenomenon by 2024. Its algorithm—designed to amplify trends and give rise to viral moments—propelled countless songs (and artists) to global fame. However, its success relied heavily on licensing deals with music publishers, a fact that fueled ongoing tensions with industry giants like UMG.
The Big Questions
1. How many videos got muted? While TikTok never released exact numbers, industry insiders estimated that tens of millions of videos had been affected. The scale of this "mass muting" was unprecedented, with creators reporting that everything from comedic skits to heartfelt tributes had been silenced overnight.
2. Why did Universal Music pull their catalog? The official reason cited by UMG involved disputes over licensing terms and revenue sharing. UMG likely wanted better compensation for the extensive use of its songs, while TikTok may have resisted steep increases in fees. Some speculated that UMG’s decision was a strategic move to renegotiate from a position of power.
3. What were creators’ reactions? The reaction had been swift and emotional. Many creators likened the situation to losing a core part of their identity, coining terms like "Mass Muting" and "Mute-pocalypse." For creators who relied on TikTok for income, the loss of access to UMG’s catalog had been a financial blow as well.
4. What do the artists think?
Big-name artists: Some, like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, have remained publicly neutral but are rumored to support UMG’s stance as it ensures they’re paid fairly.
TikTok-born artists: This group felt the impact most acutely. Many owe their careers to TikTok’s virality and viewed the decision as cutting off the platform that built their fanbase.
How many TikTok-born artists joined Universal Music? Dozens of TikTok-discovered artists, including names like Olivia Rodrigo and Lil Nas X, have since signed with UMG or its affiliates. This highlighted the platform’s role as a talent incubator—one that UMG had seemingly wanted to control.
Closing Thoughts: Who’s Really in Control?
The rapid changes over the past year—from Universal Music’s hardball tactics to TikTok’s existential threat—highlight the fragility of digital ecosystems controlled by a few powerful players. As creators and consumers, we are caught in the crossfire of corporate and political agendas. Trump and his billionaire buddies may posture as champions of free enterprise, but their actions suggest a troubling consolidation of influence.
As we reflect on the events of the past year, one thing is clear: these aren’t just battles over music catalogs or social media platforms. They are battles for cultural and economic control—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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