Trump Announces Secret TikTok Buyer, Eyes China’s Approval
From MrBeast to Amazon to Perplexity AI, U.S. President Donald Trump announced recently that a buyer has been found for the popular short-video app TikTok, telling Fox News that a group of “very wealthy people” are behind the acquisition. The identities of these individuals are expected to be revealed within approximately two weeks.
President’s Announcement on Fox News
Speaking on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo,” President Trump indicated that the proposed deal would likely require approval from China to proceed. He expressed confidence that Chinese President Xi Jinping would grant the necessary authorisation.
Background and Previous Deadlines
This development follows earlier attempts to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets. A U.S. law, enacted in 2024, mandated that the short-video app cease operations by January 19 unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, completed a sale or demonstrated substantial progress toward one. Despite this, President Trump had previously extended the divestiture deadline three times, most recently to September 17.
China’s Approval and Past Hurdles
A potential deal earlier this spring, which would have seen the app’s U.S. operations spun off into a new U.S.-based entity primarily owned by American investors, was put on hold. This halt occurred after China reportedly signalled its disapproval, following President Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on Chinese goods.
“We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way,” Trump stated during the interview. “I think I’ll need probably China’s approval. I think President Xi will probably do it.”
Trump’s View on TikTok’s Political Impact
President Trump has previously acknowledged TikTok’s role in boosting his support among young voters during last November’s presidential election.
