Former President Donald Trump revealed on Sunday that a group of buyers is lined up to purchase TikTok, the popular video-sharing app that’s been facing pressure to sever its ties with China or risk being banned in the U.S.
“We’ve got a buyer,” Trump said during an interview on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. “A group of very wealthy people. I’ll probably name them in about two weeks.”
He added that any deal might still require the green light from Beijing. “We’ll probably need China’s approval. I think President Xi will go along with it,” Trump noted.
TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, has been under scrutiny for years over national security concerns. A federal law passed during Trump’s administration gave the app a deadline to find a buyer or face a ban, but Trump has since delayed enforcement multiple times.
Back in June, he granted the app a third 90-day extension to finalize a sale. Though once firmly behind banning the platform, Trump has recently softened his stance.
“I’ve got a soft spot for TikTok,” he said in an interview earlier this year. “It played a role in helping connect with younger voters. If more time is needed, I’m open to granting it.”
Reports suggest the group of interested buyers is prepared to pay a significant sum for TikTok’s U.S. operations. Trump had previously claimed that a deal was nearly in place, but stalled over broader trade tensions with China — particularly around tariffs.
ByteDance has confirmed ongoing discussions with U.S. officials, though it’s made clear that any final agreement must also meet Chinese regulatory requirements.
For now, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. remains in limbo—awaiting a deal, two governments’ approvals, and what could be a major shift in the app’s future.
