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President Donald Trump has tasked Vice President J.D. Vance and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz with brokering a potential sale of TikTok to a U.S.-based entity before the latest ban extension expires in April, according to sources familiar with the plan.
The move is the latest twist in the long-running battle over TikTok, which began under Trump’s first administration and culminated in a temporary blackout of the popular app last month. While Trump has floated the idea of a 50/50 joint U.S.-China ownership deal, the situation remains highly fluid, with ByteDance and the Chinese government resisting U.S. pressure.
High-Stakes Negotiations Amid National Security Concerns
The White House’s top challenge will be finding a solution that satisfies national security concerns while securing ByteDance’s cooperation. Lawmakers and intelligence officials have long argued that the app’s Chinese ownership poses risks by potentially allowing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) access to Americans’ personal data.
Despite TikTok’s insistence that it does not share U.S. user data with Beijing, the Supreme Court upheld the ban in the final days of the Biden administration. Trump, however, signed an executive order on his first day back in office, delaying enforcement for 75 days to allow time for a resolution.
“My administration will determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans,” Trump said in the order.
Potential U.S. Buyers Line Up for TikTok
With the ban looming, several American investors and companies are reportedly interested in acquiring TikTok. Among them are:
- Frank McCourt – The billionaire investor and former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) – Popular YouTuber and entrepreneur
- Other venture capital firms and media conglomerates
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), a leading voice on U.S.-China competition, said ByteDance is running out of options.
“There’s only so much they can try to do to change the law. It all failed. And so now they have to fight with the law,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a supporter of the original divestment legislation, stressed that while the platform should remain accessible to American users, it must be separated from ByteDance to eliminate security risks.
“I understand that it’s important to a lot of folks. They use it for businesses. I get that, but I also am a member who focuses a lot on national security,” Crow stated.
Trump’s TikTok Reprieve & App Store Uncertainty
During TikTok’s temporary reprieve, users who already had the app installed have been able to continue using and uploading content. However, Google and Apple have not reinstated TikTok in their app stores.
A Trump administration official clarified that Google and Apple will not face penalties should they decide to make TikTok available for download again.
“The White House won’t tell private companies what they can and can’t offer,” the official stated.
However, the uncertainty over TikTok’s future has led some users to explore alternative platforms, such as RedNote, a similar app based in China.
China’s Response: Tariffs & Tough Negotiations
Complicating negotiations, Trump recently imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports, adding pressure on Beijing. Some analysts speculate that ByteDance may be less willing to negotiate a sale with U.S. officials as tensions escalate.
With April’s deadline fast approaching, all eyes are on Vance, Waltz, and ByteDance to see whether they can strike a deal—or whether TikTok will face a permanent U.S. shutdown.
