UPDATE: Trump is still determine and has said “we have made a lot of progress” and has extended the deadline 75 days.
As the deadline to sell or ban TikTok approaches, the popular video-sharing app is once again at the center of a high-stakes political and business showdown. President Donald Trump’s administration has set April 5 as the final day for TikTok to be sold to an American company or face a nationwide shutdown. The situation is tense, with last-minute bids and intense negotiations taking place behind closed doors.
Why TikTok Must Be Sold
The demand for TikTok to be sold stems from long-standing concerns over national security. Lawmakers from both parties have said they are worried that the Chinese government could use TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, to access the personal data of American users. Although ByteDance has denied these claims, the U.S. government has continued to push for the company to divest from the app.
The issue became urgent after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal ban on TikTok earlier this year. The app briefly shut down in January, which left millions of users without access. However, TikTok quickly came back online after President Trump signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of the ban by 75 days. That delay will expire on April 5.
If TikTok is not sold by that date, the app could be banned again in the United States. According to a Variety interview with Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, “President Donald Trump could issue another order pushing the ban back by ‘30 days or longer’ to fully iron out the complex deal structure.”
Trump’s Conditions for the Sale
President Trump’s team is working on a plan to keep TikTok operational in the U.S. while also addressing national security concerns. In recent weeks, Trump has publicly stated that he supports a deal where a U.S. company would take a 50 percent stake in TikTok, while ByteDance would hold a smaller minority interest. According to a report from The Information, the deal Trump prefers would create a new entity called “TikTok America,” which would be partly owned by American investors.
Trump has linked the outcome of the sale to other international issues as well. After a meeting with national security officials and economic advisers, Trump said he was open to negotiating tariffs with China in exchange for cooperation on the TikTok deal. According to The Wall Street Journal, “Trump has said publicly he is willing to negotiate tariffs with countries and mentioned that he would consider linking China’s tariffs to a better deal for TikTok.”
What Happens if No Deal is Reached?
If no deal is reached by April 5, Trump may issue another extension, but he has made clear that he wants real progress toward a sale. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act allows the president to extend the deadline for up to 90 days if negotiations are underway.
Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the administration’s talks, told NBC News, “There will almost certainly be a high-level agreement by April 5 that I think satisfies our national security concerns, allows there to be a distinct American TikTok enterprise.”
Although no final agreement has been reached, most signs point to an eventual sale or compromise. As analyst Kelsey Chickering told BBC News, “It is highly unlikely that TikTok will go dark again. All signs point to a deal or another extension.”
Who Are the Bidders?
A number of major companies, tech entrepreneurs, and investment groups are competing to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. Some bids have been confirmed, while others remain rumored. Here are the main contenders and what we know about each:
Oracle (Most Likely Buyer)
Oracle has emerged as the most likely buyer, according to multiple sources including Politico and The Information. Oracle already manages TikTok’s U.S. user data, which has made it a trusted option in the eyes of U.S. officials. The company is reportedly negotiating a deal that would give it oversight of TikTok’s data systems while keeping ByteDance’s algorithm intact.
According to Politico, this proposal has raised questions about whether the deal would fully resolve national security concerns. Even so, Oracle is viewed as a strong candidate because it already has deep ties to the Trump administration. “Officials from the company are slated to visit Capitol Hill this week to meet with lawmakers about the negotiations,” the report stated.
AppLovin
AppLovin is a mobile technology company with a market value of $100 billion. It helps developers advertise and promote their apps and has offered to buy TikTok. AppLovin has spoken with casino billionaire Steve Wynn about backing its bid. According to The Wall Street Journal, “AppLovin’s pitch to the Trump administration, which would be funded by Wynn, was that it could solve national security concerns and unleash economic growth as a job creator.”
AppLovin’s strength lies in its artificial intelligence technology, which could be used to personalize ads on the platform while keeping data secure. However, its bid may face challenges from larger competitors with more established government relationships.
Amazon
Amazon made a last-minute bid for all of TikTok, according to The New York Times. The company sent a formal offer letter to Vice President Vance and Commerce Secretary Lutnick. Despite the seriousness of the letter, multiple sources told the Times that “some parties involved in negotiations do not appear to be taking Amazon’s bid seriously.” Amazon has declined to comment.
The People’s Bid (Frank McCourt and Project Liberty)
This group is led by Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and founder of Project Liberty. The goal of this consortium is to give users more control over their data. They plan to replace TikTok’s secret algorithm with an open-source version.
Members include Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, investor Kevin O’Leary, and internet pioneer Tim Berners-Lee. In a public statement, Berners-Lee said, “Users should have an ability to control their own data.” This bid focuses on transparency and user rights rather than profit alone.
American Investor Consortium (Jesse Tinsley)
Jesse Tinsley, CEO of Employer.com, is leading a group of American investors who have offered $30 billion in cash to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations. Members of this group include David Baszucki, CEO of Roblox, Nathan McCauley of Anchorage Digital, and YouTube creator MrBeast. This bid is gaining attention because of the size of the offer and the popularity of the people involved.
Perplexity AI
Perplexity is an artificial intelligence startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The company has submitted a formal bid and even released a public “vision” for how it would operate TikTok in the United States.
Zoop (Tim Stokely)
Zoop is a startup founded by Tim Stokely, who also created OnlyFans. He has submitted a late-stage bid to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations, working with the Hbar Foundation. Though details are limited, this bid is notable due to its timing and media attention.
Others
Other names that have surfaced include Microsoft, which tried to buy TikTok in 2020, and Walmart, which has shown interest in integrating TikTok with its e-commerce business. Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has also reentered the conversation. Elon Musk has been mentioned by Trump, though Musk has not confirmed any involvement.
The Big Question: Is TikTok Even for Sale?
Despite all the excitement, there is one major issue — ByteDance has not officially agreed to sell TikTok. The Chinese government must also approve any sale, and Beijing has made it clear that it sees the TikTok situation as part of broader negotiations with the U.S., including discussions around tariffs.
As The Wall Street Journal reported, “Authorities in Beijing have signaled that China would be open to a deal, but see it as part of a cluster of issues it hopes to negotiate with Washington.”
That means even if a buyer is chosen by the Trump administration, the deal could fall apart if ByteDance or China refuses to cooperate.
Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that a deal is close, saying, “I think that we’re in a good place. We’re going to keep on working at it.” While it is not yet clear if the deal will be finalized by April 5, there is growing confidence that a solution will be announced to avoid another shutdown.
In the end, the TikTok sale is not just about a social media app. It is a test of how the U.S. handles data privacy, international business, and global competition in the digital age. What happens in the next few days could reshape the future of social media for millions of Americans.
