Trump Hints at Potential Buyer for TikTok in Two Weeks

Trump Hints at TikTok Deal Coming Soon

In a recent interview aired on Fox News, President Donald Trump claimed that a buyer for TikTok has been found. He mentioned, somewhat cryptically, that he would reveal the identity of this buyer in about two weeks. Trump’s comments come amidst ongoing tensions regarding TikTok’s operations in the U.S., which have been under scrutiny since a law was enacted requiring the app to be sold off from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or else face a ban.

Uncertainty Over TikTok’s Future Amid Deadline Pressure

Nearly five months have passed since the law aimed at banning TikTok took effect, though enforcement has been suspended thanks to Trump’s previous orders. A 90-day extension was granted earlier this month as a June 19 deadline approached, moving the new deadline to September 17 for ByteDance to relinquish control of TikTok’s U.S. operations. Despite the deadline, uncertainty lingers—questions have arisen about what this proposed deal would entail, particularly after Chinese officials indicated they may not approve a sale that includes TikTok’s highly coveted algorithm.

Failed Negotiations and Past Legal Framework

Earlier this year, a significant deal was on the brink of transferring majority control of TikTok’s U.S. operations to American owners. However, this fell through after Trump imposed new tariffs on China, which disrupted the negotiations. Following this event, ByteDance confirmed that any agreement needed to align with Chinese law, adding another layer of complexity to the already tangled situation. Meanwhile, former president Joe Biden had initiated the sale-or-ban law, which intended to take effect on January 19, sparking protests from TikTok creators when the app briefly went offline.