LOS ANGELES – With the rapidly approaching deadline for a TikTok agreement, President Trump has voiced optimism about his administration facilitating a deal with ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump noted considerable interest in TikTok and expressed his desire for the platform to continue operating. These remarks come just days before the April deadline, which mandates ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban.
"We have numerous potential buyers," Trump stated.
Trump also mentioned ongoing discussions with China, indicating their interest in the matter, potentially due to their involvement. He previously suggested considering reduced tariffs on China if they approve the sale of TikTok's U.S. operations.
Since the law requiring ByteDance's divestment took effect on January 19, the future of TikTok has been uncertain. Upon assuming office, Trump granted TikTok a 75-day extension by issuing an executive order, postponing the statute's enforcement until April 5.
During his initial term, Trump's attempts to ban TikTok on national security grounds were halted by the courts. Subsequently, negotiations for a sale of the platform proved unsuccessful. However, Trump's stance shifted during last year's election, as he acknowledged TikTok's role in gaining support from younger voters.
"I secured the youth vote by a significant margin. Republicans typically struggle with younger demographics," he remarked on Sunday. "I believe TikTok played a substantial role in that."
Trump has hinted at the possibility of further extending the TikTok deal deadline if necessary. He previously proposed a joint venture where the U.S. would hold a 50% stake, though specifics remain undisclosed.
Neither TikTok nor ByteDance have released public statements regarding the negotiations. ByteDance's position on selling TikTok remains unclear, as they previously stated a lack of plans to do so earlier last year.
If an approved buyer is not found by April 5, the original law imposing a nationwide ban would be reinstated. However, the executive order's deadline appears flexible, with the president suggesting potential extensions.
Trump's order followed the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold the law requiring ByteDance to divest or face a ban in January. After the ruling, TikTok briefly went offline for U.S. users before being restored following Trump's intervention.
During his first term, Trump's efforts to ban TikTok on national security grounds were blocked by the courts, leading to unsuccessful negotiations for a sale. He later changed his position during last year's election, recognizing the platform's contribution to winning over young voters.
The decision to maintain TikTok's operation through an executive order has faced scrutiny but has not been legally challenged in court.
While ByteDance's intentions to sell TikTok are uncertain, several potential buyers have emerged in recent months.
Aides for Vice President JD Vance, tasked with overseeing potential deals, have contacted interested parties, including the AI startup Perplexity AI, seeking further information about their offers. Perplexity AI presented ByteDance with a merger proposal in January, aiming to combine its operations with TikTok's U.S. branch.
Other bidders include a consortium led by Frank McCourt, which recently enlisted Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian as a strategic advisor. The consortium has reportedly offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash for TikTok's U.S. platform, with plans to integrate blockchain technology to enhance user control over data.
Jesse Tinsley, founder of Employer.com, has also formed a consortium, including the CEO of Roblox, offering ByteDance over $30 billion for TikTok.
Trump mentioned in January that Microsoft was also considering the app. Other interested parties include former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Rumble, a video platform popular among conservatives. Rumble expressed its readiness to join a consortium and serve as a tech partner for TikTok in a previous statement.