“We Have a Buyer for TikTok,” Trump Announces
President Donald Trump stated in a Fox News interview that “we have a buyer for TikTok, by the way”, promising to make the announcement in “about two weeks”. He described the buyers as “a group of very wealthy people”, though he declined to reveal any names at this point.
U.S. Deal Must Clear China Approval
Trump emphasized that the sale would require approval from Beijing, saying “I think I’ll need probably China’s approval. I think President Xi will probably do it”. Experts note that while the U.S. has set a sale‐or‐ban deadline of September 17, the deal has already faced several delays due to regulatory hurdles, including China’s strong stance on protecting TikTok’s algorithm.
Background: Why the Sale Matters
Under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, ByteDance had until January 19 to divest TikTok’s U.S. platform or face a nationwide shutdown. Trump first extended enforcement by 75 days upon taking office, followed by further extensions—most recently granting an additional 90 days last month, pushing the deadline to September 17.
These extensions temporarily shelved the app’s shutdown, but the sale remains essential for TikTok’s continued U.S. presence. Early bids included well‑known entities like Project Liberty (Frank McCourt & Kevin O’Leary), MrBeast, Perplexity AI, and even Elon Musk’s X platform—but none have yet been confirmed.
What Happens Next?
Trump’s claim signals that a formal agreement could be near. Tech insiders report Trump plans to unveil the buyer “in the coming weeks,” noting that China will be a key arbiter. Analysts caution, however, that real progress depends on Beijing’s willingness to let go of TikTok’s valuable algorithm—which China is reportedly reluctant to approve.
Key Takeaways
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Trump confirms buyer found; names expected in ~2 weeks.
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Sale contingent on Chinese sign‑off; algorithm remains protected.
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Deadline extended to September 17, buying time amid complex negotiations.
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Potential buyers range from billionaire consortiums to tech influencers, but details remain unverified.
