Trump Says TikTok Might Be Sold Soon—Four Buyers Interested

President Donald Trump says a deal for TikTok’s U.S. operations could be finalized soon, with four different groups interested in buying the popular video app.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump said multiple buyers are in the running but didn’t mention any names or hint at a favorite. “We’re dealing with four different groups, and a lot of people want it,” he said, adding that all four are solid options.

TikTok Faces an April Deadline

TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has until April 5 to strike a deal or risk being banned in the U.S. under a law passed during the Biden administration. With millions of American users, the app was valued at around $50 billion last year, making it one of the most valuable digital platforms in the world.

While time is running out, Trump has said he might consider extending the deadline again if needed. However, he believes a deal could come together in the next month. In the past, he’s also suggested that the U.S. government should get a 50% cut from the deal as part of the arrangement.

Will ByteDance Sell?

Even though there are active discussions, ByteDance hasn’t shown any clear signs that it’s willing to sell TikTok’s U.S. branch. The company’s CEO, Shou Chew, met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in December and also attended this year’s presidential inauguration. Meanwhile, ByteDance has been working behind the scenes to ease security concerns from U.S. lawmakers, hoping to avoid being forced out of the country.

ByteDance is currently valued at over $400 billion and has been buying back employee shares at a $312 billion valuation, showing confidence in its future growth. The company is also expanding its e-commerce business, using TikTok’s popularity to push online shopping.

However, even if a deal is reached, China’s government would have to sign off on it—and so far, they’ve been resistant. There were reports that Elon Musk’s name was floated as a potential buyer, but he has publicly said he’s not interested.

Who’s Trying to Buy TikTok?

Several well-known names have shown interest in taking over TikTok’s U.S. operations. Billionaire Frank McCourt, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley—along with YouTube star MrBeast—are all part of different bidding groups. Another bid has come from Perplexity AI. Trump has also mentioned Oracle founder Larry Ellison as a potential player, since Oracle already helps TikTok store U.S. user data.

With the deadline fast approaching, it’s still unclear what will happen. Either TikTok finds a buyer and continues operating in the U.S., or it faces a potential ban. The next few weeks will be crucial in deciding the app’s future.

Also Read: TikTok Returns to U.S. App Stores—But Is It Here to Stay?