Could TikTok’s future in America rest in the hands of four mystery buyers? President Trump has revealed that negotiations are underway with multiple parties interested in acquiring the Chinese-owned social media giant as national security concerns continue to mount.
At a glance:
• President Trump is in talks with four different groups interested in purchasing TikTok’s US operations
• TikTok faces a potential ban due to national security concerns over its Chinese ownership through ByteDance
• Trump extended the deadline for TikTok to secure a deal by 75 days, allowing the app to remain available
• Potential buyers reportedly include Oracle, Microsoft, a group involving MrBeast, and Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty
• The US market is TikTok’s most important, with operations valued at up to $50 billion
Trump Negotiating with Multiple Buyers
President Donald Trump has confirmed that his administration is actively negotiating with four different groups interested in purchasing TikTok’s US operations. The popular video-sharing platform has been under scrutiny due to concerns that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could share American user data with the Chinese government.
“We’re dealing with four different groups, and a lot of people want it,” President Donald Trump stated recently about the potential TikTok sale. Trump expressed optimism about all potential buyers, simply stating that “all four are good.”
President-elect Donald Trump is considering an executive order once in office that would suspend enforcement of the TikTok ban-or-sale law for 60 to 90 days, buying the administration time to negotiate a sale or alternative solution — a legally questionable effort to win a brief… pic.twitter.com/3IbIHwboXH
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) January 16, 2025
National Security Concerns and Extended Deadline
The push to sell TikTok stems from bipartisan legislation requiring ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face removal from US app stores. This law was enacted over fears that the Chinese government could exploit the platform for surveillance or to influence American public opinion.
TikTok briefly disappeared from American app stores when the initial January 19 deadline arrived. However, Trump reversed course after taking office, signing an executive order that extended ByteDance’s deadline by 75 days to find a new owner.
On Saturday President-elect Donald Trump told NBC in a phone interview that after he takes office he will “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban. The extension is allowed under the bipartisan law passed last year. But on Friday the Supreme Court voted to… pic.twitter.com/M397DyELLB
— PBS News (@NewsHour) January 18, 2025
“As an example, TikTok, we’re going to be doing something perhaps with TikTok, perhaps not; if we make the right deal, we’ll do it, otherwise we won’t,” Trump explained about his approach to the situation. The president’s pragmatic stance reflects his business-minded approach to national security concerns.
Potential Buyers and China’s Resistance
While Trump has not officially named the four interested parties, reports indicate that Oracle Corp., whose founder Larry Ellison is a Trump supporter, is among the potential buyers. TikTok already collaborates with Oracle on data hosting, making the tech giant a logical candidate.
Other reported contenders include Microsoft, a coalition involving popular content creator MrBeast, and Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty. The US market represents TikTok’s most important user base, with the American operations valued at up to $50 billion last year.
ByteDance CEO Shou Chew has met with Trump to address the national security concerns, but the company has shown little interest in selling its US operations. China’s government, which would need to approve any sale, prefers that TikTok remain within ByteDance’s control.
Trump has suggested the US should receive a 50% stake in TikTok as part of any deal and proposed creating a U.S. sovereign wealth fund that could invest in the platform. The president believes a deal could be reached within a month but is open to extending the deadline if necessary.
