Trump Hints at New Buyer for TikTok Amid Ongoing Controversy

The former president’s comments come as the deadline for TikTok's sale is once again extended, raising questions about future U.S.-China relations and national security concerns.

Former President Donald Trump has indicated that he has lined up "a group of very wealthy people" interested in purchasing TikTok, the controversial video-sharing application that faced a ban in the United States over national security fears. During an interview with Fox News, Trump teased that he would reveal more details within two weeks regarding the prospective buyer.

The sale of TikTok would require approval from the Chinese government, but Trump expressed confidence that President Xi Jinping “will probably do it.” This announcement arrives after Trump postponed the enforcement of a law mandating TikTok's sale for the third time, now requiring the parent company ByteDance to finalize a deal by September 17.

Previously, a potential agreement for TikTok's sale to American buyers failed to materialize in April due to rising tensions surrounding tariffs between the United States and China. It is uncertain whether the new buyer Trump mentions is associated with the previous deal that collapsed.

The urgency for TikTok's sale gained momentum after U.S. lawmakers passed legislation in April last year, fueled by worries that the app might compromise user data to the Chinese authorities, a claim TikTok has consistently denied. While Trump criticized TikTok during his presidency, he has since shifted his position, recognizing the app's significance in his campaign strategy for the 2024 election.

This latest extension has drawn scrutiny from critics who argue that it undermines congressional authority, especially as TikTok's legal battles in U.S. courts, including a failed appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the law's constitutionality, continue to unfold.