Trump hints at a TikTok sale to wealthy buyers, calling it a major move to keep the app alive in the U.S. amid national security concerns.
In a twist worthy of a TikTok trend, former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited speculation over the future of the wildly popular video-sharing app. During a recent interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Trump revealed that a “very wealthy” group of buyers is poised to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations, a move that could finally resolve the app’s long-
TikTok’s Legal Tightrope
TikTok, which is owned by Chinese technology giant ByteDance, has been the subject of fierce criticism from U.S. legislators due to national security fears. A law in 2024 requires that TikTok be sold to a non-Chinese company or risk being banned from American app stores. The fear? The Chinese state would be able to gain access to user data or control content.
Trump, who previously advocated for an outright prohibition, has softened his position since then. “I have a little warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” he said this past year as a reason for its popularity among youth voters.
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The Deal on the Table
Trump said a buyer had been secured and that he’ll announce the names in two weeks. He did not mention names but noted that the group consists of “very rich people” and alluded to the fact that the sale would need Chinese government approval.
This is not the first time that TikTok has danced around a sale. Earlier negotiations with Oracle, Walmart, and even Elon Musk collapsed amid regulatory impediments and geopolitical tensions.
Deadline Drama
The initial deadline for TikTok to sell itself was January 2025. Trump has since pushed it back three times, most recently to September 17, 2025, to prevent an outright ban and keep talks alive.
What’s at Stake?
With more than 170 million American users, TikTok is not only a social media platform—it’s a cultural phenomenon and a profitable stage for creators and companies. A successful transaction might save its U.S. footprint while alleviating national security concerns. But a failure to seal the deal might result in a complete ban, upending millions of users and companies.
