Trump Claims He Has Wealthy Buyers Ready to Acquire TikTok

Trump indicated that he would provide more details soon, while the fate of the app remains uncertain amid national security concerns and ongoing legal discussions.

Former President Donald Trump has made headlines once again with his assertion that there is a group of affluent individuals eager to acquire TikTok, the popular video-sharing app that faced a ban in the United States. In an interview with Fox News, Trump teased that he would share more specific information about this potential buyer within the next two weeks.

The sale, however, hinges on approval from the Chinese government, which Trump speculated President Xi Jinping would likely grant. As of now, Trump has delayed the enforcement of a law that mandates the app’s sale, extending the deadline to September 17, in an effort to facilitate a resolution.

Back in April, a proposed sale of TikTok to an American entity collapsed following conflicts between the White House and China concerning tariffs imposed by Trump. It remains unclear if the prospective buyers Trump referred to are the same individuals involved in the previous deal.

Legislators in the U.S. Congress had enacted a law that required the sale of TikTok over a year ago, citing worries that the app, or its parent company ByteDance, could share data of American users with the Chinese government, a claim TikTok has denied. During his initial presidential term, Trump voiced criticism about the app but has since recognized its potential role in bolstering his chances in the 2024 election, now supporting its continued operation in the U.S.

Despite attempts by TikTok to contest the law's constitutionality, the courts ultimately sided against the company in its challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court. In light of these developments, Trump’s latest comments hint at a possible shift in strategy concerning the app, though the clock is ticking towards the new deadline set for a sale.