Americans are saying goodbye to TikTok, with some users posting emotional farewells in January before the app “went dark” for 12 hours. The platform faced a federal mandate requiring its parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. assets due to national security concerns, specifically the potential sharing of U.S. user data with China.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order delaying the ban for 75 days to allow ByteDance to find a U.S. owner. He has since issued three more delays, with the most recent deadline set for September 17. The app’s future now hinges on Chinese officials approving a U.S.-drafted divestment deal.
TikTok ban looms, users post goodbyes
Table of Contents
- TikTok ban looms, users post goodbyes
- Gulf of Mexico renamed “Gulf of America”
- Kendrick Lamar heats up Super Bowl LIX halftime
- Katy Perry’s space flight sparks online debate
- The “100 men vs. 1 gorilla” viral debate
- Haunted doll blamed for New Orleans incidents
- The Labubu doll craze takes over
- Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad sparks controversy
- Awkward “Kiss Cam” moment at Coldplay concert
The possibility of TikTok being banned has sent ripples through its user base, with many expressing their attachment to the platform that fostered community and income for influencers and creators alike.
TikTok users post emotional goodbyes
With the future of the app uncertain, TikTok users are posting emotional goodbyes and heartfelt thank yous to their followers.
Gulf of Mexico renamed “Gulf of America”
President Donald Trump decreed on Inauguration Day that the Gulf of Mexico would henceforth be known as the Gulf of America. This name change became official on February 10, the day after Trump declared February 9 as the “first-ever Gulf of America Day” while en route to Super Bowl 59.
‘Gulf of America Day’ declared as President Trump flies to Super Bowl
“Even bigger than the Super Bowl.” President Trump signed a “Gulf of America Day” proclamation as he flew over the gulf.
Both Google and Apple promptly updated their maps to reflect the new name, which was formally adopted by the Geographic Names Information System. The decision did not sit well with everyone, particularly Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who threatened legal action against Google and jokingly proposed renaming the United States “Mexican America” in response.
Kendrick Lamar heats up Super Bowl LIX halftime
Kendrick Lamar delivered a show-stopping performance at Super Bowl 59, featuring fashion statements and a star-studded set list including SZA. The rapper, a Grammy and Pulitzer winner, captivated the audience with 11 tracks in 13 minutes, incorporating elaborate visuals and even surprising cameos from Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams.
Lamar’s performance included nods to his widely discussed rap beef, notably featuring his diss track “Not Like Us.” The spectacle was a major talking point across social media, with fans dissecting every moment. Following the Super Bowl, Lamar and SZA embarked on the Grand National Tour, which concluded on June 18 in Washington, D.C.
Katy Perry’s space flight sparks online debate
Katy Perry, alongside five other prominent women, experienced the thrill of space travel thanks to billionaire Jeff Bezos’ private space company, Blue Origin. While the trip offered breathtaking views and microgravity, it also ignited a wave of online criticism, with some deeming the venture “out of touch” and “gluttonous.”
The criticism, largely directed at Perry, persisted throughout the mission concluding on April 14. Weeks later, Perry addressed the backlash, comparing the online world to a “dumping ground for unhinged and unhealed” sentiments and stating she handles it with grace and love.
A hypothetical question — could 100 men defeat a gorilla in a fight? — sparked widespread debate and countless memes across social media in late April. Experts weighed in on the viral question, with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s president and chief scientific officer, Tara Stoinski, advising to “think about the numbers.”
Haunted doll blamed for New Orleans incidents
The infamous “Annabelle” doll, known for inspiring horror films, found itself at the center of online accusations following a series of incidents in Louisiana during its multi-city U.S. tour. The doll was blamed for the escape of 10 inmates from an Orleans Parish jail and a fire that destroyed a plantation near Baton Rouge, events that coincided with its visit.
While some found the coincidence amusing, others, like the X user quoted above, were convinced Annabelle was involved. Tim Nealon, founder of Ghost City Tours, reported receiving death threats as the rumor mill churned, with many convinced the company was complicit. Ghost City Tours issued a statement clarifying that Annabelle had no connection to the incidents.
The Labubu doll craze takes over
Labubu dolls have become the must-have accessory of 2025, much like Stanley cups were in 2024. These monster plushies, designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung a decade ago, are sold by Beijing-based toy maker Pop Mart in “blind boxes,” adding an element of surprise to the collectible craze.
The trend surged after K-pop star Lisa of BLACKPINK mentioned her “secret obsession” with Pop Mart collectibles in a December 2024 interview. Consumers worldwide are now scrambling to acquire the elusive dolls, with some even fighting over them, while those lucky enough to possess one are already planning their next acquisition or styling their current ones.
Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad sparks controversy
An American Eagle campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney ignited controversy online and drew support from the White House due to a wordplay that critics argued subtly endorsed eugenics. The ad featured Sweeney stating, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”
Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle divides internet: tone-deaf or anti-woke?
American Eagle’s fall campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney is drawing fire over a controversial play on the word “genes.”
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Critics argued that by celebrating “white genetics as ‘good’,” the ad promoted discriminatory beliefs. President Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the ad, attributing the backlash to “liberals.”
Awkward “Kiss Cam” moment at Coldplay concert
A couple’s appearance on the “Kiss Cam” at a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, led to an unexpected spectacle and resignations at the tech company Astronomer. The viral clip captured the pair attempting to hide after realizing they were prominently featured on the stadium’s jumbotron, prompting front man Chris Martin to quip about their situation.
Astronomer CEO resigns after Coldplay concert turns awkward
During a recent Coldplay concert, lead singer Chris Martin unintentionally spotlighted an awkward moment in the crowd that quickly went viral.
Internet sleuths identified the couple as Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s chief people officer, Kristin Cabot, both of whom resigned shortly after the incident. The company subsequently hired Martin’s ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, as a “temporary spokesperson” for a new advertisement. The scandal also prompted musical artists to issue warnings before their own concerts.
