Monday, March 10, 2025 - President Donald Trump has revealed that the United States is in discussions with four groups interested in acquiring TikTok, as the Chinese-owned social media platform faces an uncertain future in the country. A US law mandates that TikTok divest from its parent company, ByteDance, or be banned from operating in the United States.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed the ongoing
negotiations but did not provide specifics. “It could be,” he said when asked
if a deal was imminent. “We’re dealing with four different groups. And a lot of
people want it, and it’s up to me,” he added, emphasizing that all four
potential buyers were “good” without naming them.
The law banning TikTok took effect on January 19 amid concerns that the
Chinese government could exploit the app for surveillance or covertly influence
US public opinion. As the deadline approached, TikTok temporarily shut down its
services in the United States and disappeared from app stores, sparking outrage
among its millions of American users. However, after beginning his second term
in January, Trump suspended the implementation of the ban for two-and-a-half
months in an effort to negotiate a resolution with Beijing. This allowed TikTok
to restore service and return to Apple and Google app stores in February.
Among the potential buyers is “The People’s Bid for TikTok,” an
initiative led by real estate and sports tycoon Frank McCourt’s Project
Liberty. Other contenders include tech giants Microsoft and Oracle, as well as
a group involving popular internet personality MrBeast, whose real name is
Jimmy Donaldson.
Despite the mounting pressure, TikTok has not shown strong enthusiasm
for selling its US operations. Trump previously attempted to ban the app during
his first term in the White House, citing national security concerns. The
ongoing negotiations suggest that TikTok’s fate in the US remains uncertain,
with a final decision likely to hinge on political and legal developments in
the coming weeks.
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