Trump Seeks TikTok Sale in US But Deal Faces Big Questions

President Donald Trump announced a plan to keep TikTok available in the United States through a group of American investors. He said the investors would buy the popular short-video app from its Chinese owners, ByteDance, in accordance with U.S. law.

However, many questions remain about whether this deal will actually happen and how it will affect American users.

Is There a Real Deal?

Any sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations would require ByteDance, its Chinese owner, to divest. This would need approval from China’s government. Beijing has been hesitant to allow a major Chinese tech company to leave one of its largest markets, especially during the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.

While the Trump administration says China has agreed to the sale, there has been no official confirmation from Beijing. TikTok and ByteDance have not responded to requests for comment.

“This deal is still very confusing in terms of what exactly is going on,” said Andrew Selepak, a media professor at the University of Florida.

Trump Isn’t Taking Over TikTok, But Allies Are Involved

The White House’s executive order outlines a plan focused on investors with close ties to President Trump.

Trump specifically mentioned Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, a longtime ally, as a key player. Ellison, one of the world’s richest men, has worked with Trump on tech projects before, including AI partnerships. He has also supported his son’s purchase of Hollywood studios like Paramount and is reportedly interested in Warner Bros.

Other investors include media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 94, and his son Lachlan, who control Fox News.

Some worry this could signal a conservative shift for TikTok, a platform Trump says helped him reach young voters. However, Trump denied that the app would become right-leaning.

Experts say the involvement of conservative investors raises concerns about the control of media platforms and the potential restriction of diverse viewpoints in the U.S., especially as the country faces deep political divisions.

Social Media Context

TikTok’s future comes amid broader changes in social media. Elon Musk has reshaped X (formerly Twitter) to lean far-right, which has led many mainstream media outlets and liberal users to leave. Meanwhile, Facebook and Instagram, under Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have changed content moderation to address Republican complaints of anti-conservative bias.

Why the Price Is Surprisingly Low

At a White House event, Vice President JD Vance said the TikTok deal is valued at $14 billion (about RM59.1 billion). This is considered low compared to Twitter’s $44 billion sale and TikTok’s popularity among U.S. youth.

Reports suggest ByteDance could still earn a significant share of profits through an expensive licensing deal. The company might get about half of the new company’s profits while holding only a 20 percent stake.

Some lawmakers have raised concerns over whether the deal would meet U.S. national security laws that require either divestment or a ban. Critics say the plan offers vague security guarantees without clear specifics.

Skepticism Remains

John Moolenaar, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he would conduct full oversight of the agreement.

“ByteDance has shown time and again that it is a bad actor,” he said.

Legal experts, such as Carl Tobias of the University of Richmond School of Law, have questioned whether the plan would truly protect U.S. national security.

Critics also note that Ellison’s Oracle already manages TikTok’s U.S. data servers from a previous attempt to address security concerns. They question whether this new deal would make any real difference.

The Bottom Line

Trump’s TikTok plan is ambitious but complicated. The deal depends on China’s approval, raises questions about national security, and involves a surprising mix of conservative investors. For now, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, leaving users and lawmakers waiting for clarity.