Trump Expects TikTok Deal Before April 5, Blackstone Joins the Race
Looks like TikTok’s future in the U.S. might finally be decided soon. President Donald Trump said he expects a deal for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to go through before the April 5 deadline avoiding a potential ban.
Back in January, Trump gave TikTok until April 5 to find a new, non-Chinese owner. If they don’t, the app used by about 170 million Americans could be banned over national security concerns.
On Sunday, while flying on Air Force One, Trump told reporters there’s strong interest in TikTok. “We have a lot of potential buyers,” he said. “There’s tremendous interest in TikTok. I’d like to see TikTok remain alive.”
Blackstone Joins the Bidding War
One of the latest players in the game is Blackstone, which is reportedly in talks to team up with some of ByteDance’s current non-Chinese investors, including Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, to put in a bid. This group seems to be the frontrunner right now.
The U.S. government has been pushing for ByteDance to sell TikTok, arguing that the Chinese company could allow Beijing to access American user data or spread misinformation. Trump has previously suggested he might extend the deadline if needed, acknowledging that China also needs to approve the sale. He even hinted at possibly lowering some tariffs on China to smooth things over.
What’s Next?
Vice President JD Vance also chimed in, saying he expects a general agreement on TikTok’s ownership by April 5. The uncertainty surrounding TikTok started last year when a new law required ByteDance to sell the app by January 19, 2025. The White House has been actively involved in overseeing the deal.
Trump recently mentioned that four different groups are in talks to buy TikTok but didn’t name them. One possible buyer is AI search company Perplexity, which believes it can take over TikTok’s algorithm without creating a monopoly. In a blog post, the company argued that keeping ByteDance involved in any way would still leave China with control over TikTok’s algorithm.
TikTok is a huge deal in the U.S., where it’s worth up to $50 billion. Meanwhile, ByteDance continues to operate a similar app, Douyin, in China. With the deadline fast approaching, all eyes are on who will take control of one of the world’s most popular apps.
Race for TikTok Heats Up Trump Says Deal Expected by April 5, Blackstone Joins the Game
