President Donald Trump has confirmed that a deal for TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the short-video app—used by 170 million Americans—will be finalized before the April 5, deadline.
The April 5 deadline, set by Trump in January, requires TikTok to secure a non-Chinese buyer or face a U.S. ban on national security grounds under a 2024 law.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Sunday, Trump stated, “We have a lot of potential buyers. There’s tremendous interest in TikTok,” adding, “I’d like to see TikTok remain alive.”
While TikTok has not commented on the matter, sources indicate that private equity firm Blackstone is considering making a small minority investment in TikTok’s U.S. operations. According to two people familiar with the discussions, Blackstone is in talks to join existing non-Chinese shareholders of ByteDance—led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic—to contribute fresh capital for acquiring TikTok’s U.S. business. This group has reportedly emerged as the leading contender.
The U.S. government has long argued that ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok makes it vulnerable to influence from the Chinese government, raising concerns over potential data collection on Americans and the app’s use for political manipulation.
While Trump has previously suggested he might extend the deadline if needed, he acknowledged last week that China will play a key role in approving any deal. He hinted at potential concessions, stating, “Maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done.”
Vice President JD Vance has expressed confidence that the general terms of an agreement resolving TikTok’s ownership will be in place by April 5.
The app’s future has remained uncertain since the passage of a 2024 law, which received overwhelming bipartisan support and mandated that ByteDance divest TikTok by January 19.
In an unusual move, the White House has played an active role in facilitating the deal, reportedly taking on responsibilities that resemble those of an investment bank.
