Former President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is in discussions with four different groups interested in purchasing TikTok, as the Chinese-owned social media platform faces an uncertain future in the country.
Under U.S. law, TikTok must either separate from its parent company, ByteDance, or cease operations in the United States.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed the ongoing negotiations but offered few details. When asked if a deal was close, he responded, “It could be. We’re dealing with four different groups. A lot of people want it, and it’s up to me.” He described all four potential buyers as “good” but did not disclose their identities.
The law banning TikTok took effect on January 19 due to concerns that the Chinese government could use the app for surveillance or influence American public opinion.
As the deadline approached, TikTok temporarily shut down in the U.S. and was removed from app stores, sparking backlash from its millions of American users. However, after beginning his second term in January, Trump delayed the ban’s enforcement for two-and-a-half months to negotiate with Beijing, allowing TikTok to resume operations and return to Apple and Google app stores in February.
One of the potential buyers is The People’s Bid for TikTok, an initiative led by real estate and sports mogul Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty. Other interested parties include tech giants Microsoft and Oracle, as well as a group involving internet star MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson.
Despite the pressure, TikTok has shown little enthusiasm for selling its U.S. operations. Trump previously attempted to ban the app during his first term over national security concerns. With negotiations ongoing, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, and a final resolution will likely depend on political and legal developments in the coming weeks.
