TikTok users might feel a sense of déjà vu this week. The future of the popular video-sharing app is once again in question as a potential ban in the United States could happen in just days.
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is obliged to sell the app’s US operations by April 5, following President Donald Trump’s extension of the deadline in January, or face a ban in the country. The outcome on or before Saturday will significantly affect the 170 million Americans who rely on TikTok for news, entertainment, community, and, in some cases, their livelihoods.
Many uncertainties linger regarding the status of a possible deal, but dedicated TikTok users might have reasons for optimism. Several interested buyers have expressed their intention to potentially purchase the app, and Trump has shown willingness to assist in facilitating a deal to ensure continued access to the platform.
“We have numerous potential buyers; there’s incredible interest in TikTok. The decision will ultimately be mine,” Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. “I want to see TikTok continue to operate.”
Here’s a summary of what we know about TikTok’s potential future as the deadline for sale or ban approaches swiftly.
What led us to this situation?
Last year, President Joe Biden enacted a law mandating ByteDance to sell the app’s US operations or confront a TikTok ban in the US. US lawmakers have been consistently worried that TikTok may pose a national security risk, as its parent company based in China might be compelled to surrender US user data or alter the app’s algorithm at the Chinese government’s request.
In January, TikTok temporarily went offline for around 14 hours — and app stores removed the platform’s accessibility within the US — after the initial sale-or-ban deadline passed without a deal being made.
However, TikTok reestablished access for US users after Trump agreed to delay the deadline. On his first day in office, Trump pushed back the ban deadline by 75 days, aiming to help facilitate a deal for the app to be acquired by an American entity. App stores also restored access to TikTok in February.
It was during Trump’s previous administration that he initially sought to ban TikTok but later changed his stance after trying it out himself.
In January, Trump also voiced skepticism about the national security issues related to the app, questioning, “Is it really that crucial for China to be monitoring young people? On young kids watching wild videos?”
Who are the potential buyers for TikTok?
A number of prominent bidders have stepped forward as potential purchasers of the platform’s US operations.
These include a group led by billionaire former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and investor Kevin O’Leary, another group featuring social media influencer Jimmy Donaldson (commonly known as MrBeast) and Employer.com founder Jesse Tinsley, as well as the AI company Perplexity.
Multiple news sources, such as Politico, NPR, and Bloomberg, have also indicated that Oracle — TikTok’s current technology partner in the US — is a leading contender to take over the app’s US operations. Reportedly, such a transaction could involve ByteDance retaining a partial stake in TikTok, along with increased investment from the company’s existing American investors like General Atlantic and Susquehanna.
Oracle has not responded to CNN’s request for comments.
Trump has also suggested that a newly proposed US sovereign wealth fund could purchase part or all of the app, although he did not provide specific details on how this arrangement would function.
Will there be a resolution by April 5?
Vice President JD Vance — whom Trump appointed to oversee the possible TikTok deal alongside national security adviser Michael Waltz — stated on March 14 that there would “almost certainly” be an agreement that would secure US users’ access to the app by the April 5 deadline.
“There will almost certainly be a high-level agreement that I believe addresses our national security concerns and establishes a distinct American TikTok enterprise,” Vance mentioned in an interview with NBC News, while recognizing that formally concluding such a deal might take additional time.
The law necessitates Trump to confirm that a “qualified divestiture” of TikTok has occurred and that the app is no longer under ByteDance’s control, which is classified as a “foreign adversary” controlled entity. According to the law, ByteDance cannot maintain more than a 20% ownership of the platform. Furthermore, it specifies that the app’s US operations cannot coordinate with ByteDance regarding its algorithm or data sharing practices.
Trump mentioned earlier in March that he would “probably” push back the TikTok deadline if a deal isn’t finalized by April 5. However, Vance told NBC that “we’d like to accomplish it without an extension.” On Sunday, Trump reiterated his belief that a resolution would be achieved before the deadline.
However, as the deadline nears, there has been scant public evidence that ByteDance or the Chinese government are willing to agree to a sale.
Recently, Trump has attempted to make the deal more appealing by proposing a reduction in tariffs on Chinese imports as part of the TikTok sale.
“One point in tariffs with China … would likely be more valuable than all of TikTok, no matter how valuable TikTok is,” Trump informed reporters on Monday. “Perhaps I’ll reduce a couple of points (off of tariffs) if I receive approval for something. I haven’t done that yet, but maybe I will.”
Scott Sutton, the CEO of influencer marketing firm Later, expressed his expectation for an extension of the ban, likely unfolding in one of two scenarios.
“Either we’ll hear an announcement that a ‘specific deal is in progress,’ or we’ll get a general statement from the current administration indicating they are collaborating with interested parties but unable to share the details,” Sutton wrote in an email.
If a deal does not materialize, will TikTok cease operations once more in the U.S.?
Whether TikTok shuts down again in the United States depends largely on what Trump communicates regarding the deal negotiations.
In the absence of a deal, TikTok’s technology partners—including Apple, Google, and Oracle—might technically face significant fines if they persist in supporting the app. However, if Trump implies that he will instruct the Justice Department not to enforce the law, those companies may feel assured enough to continue their support for TikTok in the U.S.
TikTok has made efforts to align itself with Trump, likely in a bid to earn his backing. After TikTok was reinstated in January, it displayed a notification to U.S. users attributing its return to “President Trump’s efforts.”
Trump has also noted the possibility of extending the deadline if an agreement is not finalized on time. It remains unclear if a second extension aligns with the laws regarding sale or ban, but due to the significant discretion the law gives to the president on enforcement, it might be challenging to contest in court.
What is TikTok’s estimated worth?
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives believes TikTok holds a value of “well north of $100 billion” with its algorithm—potentially rising to around $200 billion in a “best case scenario.”
“Without the algorithm, its worth is estimated at $40 billion to $50 billion,” Ives stated, expressing doubt that ByteDance and Beijing would consider selling TikTok along with its algorithm.
Lawyers representing TikTok and ByteDance assert that divesting the platform both commercially and technologically is impossible. They also argue that any sale of TikTok without the appealing algorithm—the platform’s key asset that Chinese authorities would likely obstruct under any divestiture plan—would render the U.S. version of TikTok an isolated entity, separate from other global content.
U.S. officials have cautioned that the proprietary algorithm is susceptible to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who could exploit it to influence content on the platform in ways that are challenging to detect.
Is Trump able to intervene?
President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on January 20, has recently asked the court to pause the law so he can pursue a “political resolution” regarding the matter during his second term.
Should the justices—who listened to arguments about the law on Friday—grant his appeal, a possible TikTok ban would be postponed. The Supreme Court is anticipated to issue a ruling within a few days.
Details regarding Trump’s approach to fulfill his campaign promise to “save TikTok” have not been disclosed by the Trump transition team. However, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated in November that he intends to “deliver” on his commitment.
After Trump assumes office, it would be the responsibility of his Justice Department to enforce the law and penalize any potential offenders. On Wednesday, Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, sidestepped a question during a Senate hearing regarding whether she would uphold a TikTok ban.