In his first few days back in office, President Trump has shifted his focus on TikTok, treating it more as a potential business opportunity rather than emphasizing concerns about Chinese influence and U.S. national security. Trump recently stated that he sees the situation as a chance to make a deal, suggesting that with American involvement, TikTok could be worth up to a trillion dollars.
He also mentioned he’d be open to tech giants like Elon Musk or Larry Ellison taking over the platform, but this would require approval from both ByteDance, TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, and the Chinese government.
Some experts believe ByteDance might be willing to sell, seeing TikTok’s future tied to Trump’s broader negotiations with China, including the potential imposition of new tariffs.
Dan Ives, managing director at Wedbush Securities, described TikTok as a key player in the larger high-stakes tension between China and the U.S. He noted that Trump’s comments about Elon Musk and Larry Ellison taking over TikTok could be seen as the first indication of his approval for a potential deal, though he expects more developments as other interested parties come forward.
At an event in Davos, Switzerland, ByteDance board member Bill Ford, also the CEO of General Atlantic, expressed confidence that a deal would happen because it aligns with the interests of all parties involved. Ford, one of the three Americans on ByteDance’s board, mentioned that the deal would likely involve a “trilateral conversation” between the U.S. government, the Chinese government, and the company.
This potential for negotiation is partly due to Trump’s executive order signed on Monday, which delays the enforcement of the federal ban on TikTok for 75 days. However, some experts caution that U.S. tech partners of TikTok still face significant legal risks, despite Trump’s public comments suggesting otherwise.
Though TikTok’s apps are still accessible to U.S. users, they remain unavailable for download from the Apple and Google app stores due to the ongoing legal uncertainty. Trump has remained focused on the idea of a “joint venture” for TikTok in the U.S., which would give him the ability to approve its operation. However, his comments have varied, and it’s unclear whether ByteDance, which owns TikTok, would agree to such a structure, especially since the company is said to be unwilling to relinquish control of its proprietary algorithms.
Trump suggested that the U.S. should have a 50% ownership stake in a potential joint venture, framing the TikTok ban as an American approval process. He also stated that TikTok would be worthless without approval, emphasizing the app’s popularity in the U.S. and its global impact, given its large American user base and U.S.-based tech partners.
Despite his comments, Trump overstated his control over TikTok, claiming that he had the right to sell or close the app. He also suggested that if the Chinese government didn’t approve a deal, it would be seen as a hostile act.
In response to U.S. laws that threaten TikTok with a ban unless ByteDance sells the app or divests from its Chinese ownership, Chinese officials might view such moves as hostile, as the law forces ByteDance to either sell itself to avoid being under the control of a “foreign adversary” (China) or face a ban in the U.S.
On Tuesday, Trump framed the law regarding TikTok as a “permit” that could either be granted, allowing the app to continue operating in the U.S., or revoked. He emphasized that TikTok would be “worthless” without this permit. Trump suggested to reporters that one option could be for someone to buy TikTok and give half of it to the United States, in exchange for the permit to operate.
When asked if he would support Elon Musk acquiring TikTok, Trump replied, “I would be.” Musk, who owns the social media platform X and could see potential synergies between X and TikTok, has not yet commented on the idea.
In recent statements, Trump has downplayed concerns from some of his own party about the influence of China over TikTok’s content, the app’s access to American user data, and potential risks like mental health issues or foreign propaganda. Despite these concerns, Trump recently argued at a rally that keeping TikTok alive is essential because it helps save jobs, a point also highlighted by TikTok executives who stress the app’s role in supporting small businesses and content creators in the U.S.
Trump has also frequently mentioned his own popularity on TikTok, sharing statistics about pro-Trump accounts and videos on the platform. He even asked, “Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?” On Tuesday, before leaving a room full of reporters, he again referenced his success on the app, saying, “We won the young vote. I think I won it through TikTok. So I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok.”