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In a new twist in the long-running saga over TikTok’s operations in the United States, former President Donald Trump announced that a buyer has been secured for the popular short-video platform. However, he declined to name the party involved, instead describing them as a “wealthy group of people.”
Trump made the announcement during a recent interview with Fox News, adding that the transaction is still contingent upon approval from the Chinese government, particularly from President Xi Jinping.
“We have a buyer for TikTok by the way,” Trump stated. “I think I’ll need probably China approval, and I think President Xi will probably do it.”
When asked for further details, he teased a reveal:
“I’ll tell you in about two weeks.”
TikTok Faces Uncertain Future Amid National Security Scrutiny
The future of TikTok in the United States has remained in limbo following a series of executive orders signed during Trump’s second term, aimed at banning the app from American app stores over national security concerns.
The U.S. government has repeatedly raised alarms about data collection practices by TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, citing potential risks tied to the Chinese Communist Party. The concerns have led to bipartisan support in Congress for forcing a divestment or outright ban of the platform.
With over 170 million U.S. users, TikTok has become deeply embedded in American digital culture, raising the stakes for any decision that could impact its availability or ownership.
Multiple Deadlines Extended — “No Big Deal,” Says Trump
The initial executive order targeting TikTok was issued shortly after Trump’s second term began in January. It included a deadline for ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets. That deadline has since been extended twice—first to April, and then for another 90 days, pushing the final decision point to mid-September.
Despite the drawn-out timeline, Trump downplayed the urgency, calling the extensions “no big deal.” He offered no further clarification on whether the buyer would implement safeguards addressing the U.S. government’s core concern: user data security and potential foreign surveillance.
Will ByteDance Agree to the Deal?
Up to now, ByteDance and Chinese regulators have opposed any forced sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations, citing both sovereignty and technology ownership rights.
With Trump’s revelation that a buyer is already lined up, attention now turns to Beijing’s next move. Trump appeared confident that President Xi Jinping would allow the deal to go through, but the Chinese government has not publicly confirmed any willingness to approve such a transaction.
Under China’s current export control laws, ByteDance would need state approval to sell proprietary algorithms and user data infrastructure to any foreign entity—something Beijing has historically been reluctant to allow.
Who Might the Buyer Be? Speculation Grows
Trump’s refusal to name the buyer has triggered a wave of speculation across the tech and financial sectors. The mention of a “wealthy group of people” leaves room for interpretation—it could be a U.S.-based tech consortium, a private equity firm, or even a coalition of corporate stakeholders.
Pakistan Stock Exchange Tops Global Markets with Over 200% Dollar Gains
Previous discussions over TikTok’s sale included names like Microsoft, Oracle, and Walmart, all of whom had expressed interest during Trump’s first term. It’s unclear whether these companies are involved in the current deal, or if a new consortium has emerged to take over the app.
No Details on ByteDance’s Ongoing Role
A key unanswered question is whether ByteDance would retain any stake in the new structure. Lawmakers have previously warned that any partial divestment would be insufficient if ByteDance maintains influence over operations or access to U.S. user data.
Trump did not address this in his interview, and there has been no official word from TikTok or ByteDance regarding the structure of the proposed sale.
What Comes Next?
With the mid-September deadline looming, the timeline to finalize this deal is short. The Biden administration—though more cautious in tone—has also backed legislative efforts requiring foreign-owned apps to divest or face bans, reinforcing the pressure on TikTok’s leadership.
If the deal is approved by China and passes U.S. regulatory scrutiny, it could be one of the largest cross-border tech transactions of the year. However, failure to reach a consensus may lead to the app’s removal from U.S. app stores, significantly impacting its presence in the global market.
Final Thoughts
Trump’s statement has reignited attention on TikTok’s status in the U.S., but with many key details still under wraps, uncertainty remains the dominant theme. The identity of the buyer, ByteDance’s involvement, and China’s approval will be critical variables in determining whether TikTok can continue operating in the United States—or whether its American era is nearing an end.
