With the April 5th deadline for TikTok’s divestment from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fast approaching, speculation is swirling about potential buyers. While President Donald Trump previously granted a 75-day delay to the ban, no definitive deal has been announced.
Trump’s ‘TikTok America’ Proposal
According to The Information, Trump is expected to announce a plan for a new entity called “TikTok America.” This company would reportedly be structured with:
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50% ownership by unnamed U.S. investors
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One-third stake for existing ByteDance investors
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19.9% stake retained by ByteDance itself
Under this plan, ByteDance would continue to license its algorithm to TikTok America. However, it remains uncertain whether this arrangement would fully satisfy the U.S. government’s national security concerns.
Potential Buyers: Amazon, Oracle, and Others
Several companies have been rumored as possible buyers, including:
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Oracle and Blackstone – Previously considered frontrunners, though details remain unclear.
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Amazon – Could leverage TikTok’s influence in social commerce after shutting down its own Inspire shopping feed.
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AppLovin – A $100 billion mobile tech firm pitching its AI-driven advertising expertise as a solution to security concerns.
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Frank McCourt – The former LA Dodgers owner has also been linked to the bidding process.
China’s Position and Next Steps
Despite these discussions, ByteDance has not publicly indicated a willingness to sell TikTok. Chinese officials are reportedly waiting to hear the details of Trump’s proposed new tariffs before making any decisions. Meanwhile, Trump is set to meet with aides to discuss extending the deadline again or finalizing a divestment plan.
With uncertainty still looming, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. remains in flux, and whether any proposed deal will satisfy national security concerns is still an open question.