Could President Trump save TikTok from a looming government ban? With the April 5 deadline approaching fast, Trump has revealed that negotiations for the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations are advancing rapidly, potentially securing the platform’s future for millions of American users. And he’s even floated some clever ideas to make it happen.
At a glance:
• President Trump expects TikTok to have a new owner before the April 5 deadline to avoid a U.S. ban
• Multiple potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations
• Trump has cited TikTok’s importance in helping him win the young vote by 36 points
• US-based investors including General Atlantic, Sesquehanna, and Blackstone are in discussions to increase their stakes
• China views TikTok as a tool for “information-driven mental warfare” against the United States
Trump Takes Action to Keep TikTok Available
President Trump has expressed confidence that a deal for TikTok’s U.S. operations will be finalized before the April 5 deadline that could otherwise result in a nationwide ban. The popular social media platform, which boasts approximately 170 million American users, has been under scrutiny due to concerns about potential data access by the Chinese government.
“We have a lot of potential buyers. There’s tremendous interest in TikTok,” President Donald Trump told reporters late Sunday. “The decision is going to be my decision, as you know, through Congress. They’ve given me the power to make the decision.”
🚨🇺🇸 PRO-TRUMP BILLIONAIRE REID RASNER MAKES $47.45B BID FOR TIKTOK
Wyoming billionaire Reid Rasner has placed a $47.45 billion bid to purchase TikTok, as ByteDance faces a looming deadline to divest under Biden administration legislation.
Rasner, a Trump ally, plans to address… https://t.co/iT7U48LPFM pic.twitter.com/UzNPhP4KSK
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 30, 2025
The President also reportedly floated the possibility of making a sale happen with China’s consent by including possible reductions in tariffs.
“Maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done,” Trump said.
Political Implications and Business Interests
The President has made it clear he prefers to see TikTok remain operational in the United States, citing its influence on young voters. “I’ll be honest, selfishly speaking, I won the young vote by 36 points. Republicans generally don’t do very well with the young vote, and I think a lot of it could have been (because of) TikTok,” Trump said.
Multiple American companies and investors are reportedly eyeing stakes in TikTok’s U.S. operations, with Oracle expected to play a key role in securing American user data. US-based investors, including General Atlantic and Sesquehanna, are in discussions to increase their existing stakes in the platform.
National Security Concerns and China’s Stance
The push to force ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest its U.S. operations stems from longstanding national security concerns. The House of Representatives passed a TikTok ban-or-sell bill in March 2024, reflecting bipartisan worries about potential Chinese government influence through the platform.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton supports the ban but is open to a deal structure that complies with legislation. His position aligns with many GOP lawmakers who view the app as a potential threat while recognizing its cultural and economic significance.
The negotiation process is complicated by China’s reluctance to share TikTok’s algorithm, which it considers a national security asset. A Chinese military official has reportedly described platforms like TikTok as tools for “information-driven mental warfare” against the United States.
President Trump issued an Executive Order on his first day in office, offering a 75-day reprieve on the ban that had temporarily made TikTok unavailable to American users on January 19. The deal’s complexity involves ensuring proper safeguards for American data while satisfying both U.S. security concerns and Chinese interests.
