On Sunday, March 30, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that a deal to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations is on track before the April 5 deadline.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said, “We have a lot of potential buyers. There’s tremendous interest in TikTok, and I’d like to see it stay alive.” The move aims to keep the app, used by 170 million Americans, running amid national security concerns tied to its Chinese parent, ByteDance.
In January, Trump set the deadline under a 2024 law demanding ByteDance divest TikTok or face a U.S. ban. Washington fears Beijing could exploit the app for influence campaigns and data collection. While TikTok hasn’t commented, Reuters reported Friday that Blackstone is eyeing a minority stake in TikTok’s U.S. arm, joining Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic as frontrunners in a fresh capital bid.
US President Donald Trump says he is confident that TikTok will find US buyers before an April 5 deadlinehttps://t.co/VNZOkbWX10 pic.twitter.com/ZAQAVOBcet
— TRT World (@trtworld) March 31, 2025Trump has hinted at flexibility, previously suggesting extending the deadline if needed. Last week, he noted China’s approval will be key, saying, “Maybe I’ll offer a tariff reduction to get it done.” Vice President JD Vance expects a deal framework by April 5. The White House, unusually active in the talks, has taken on a near-investment-bank role to shepherd this high-profile agreement.
Read: Trump’s Executive Order: US Sovereign Wealth Fund May Acquire TikTok
The app’s future is uncertain. A bipartisan law passed in 2024 established a divestment deadline of January 19, which has since been adjusted. With nearly half of Americans using TikTok, its survival depends on this looming deadline. As negotiations intensify, attention is focused on whether Trump’s deadline will lead to a resolution.
