U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed Microsoft’s renewed interest in purchasing TikTok, while noting he would like to see “competition” among potential buyers. According to the president, TikTok is attracting attention from more companies than just Microsoft.
Forced Sale of TikTok
Discussions surrounding the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations by its parent company ByteDance have been ongoing for years. This originated under the Trump administration, which first raised national security concerns, demanding the Chinese company transfer control of its U.S. business to local investors. The Biden administration has continued along a similar path.
Last week, Trump signed an order temporarily pausing the TikTok ban — originally poised to take effect under the Biden team’s decision. Despite this delay, pressure on ByteDance remains, and the company must determine the future of its app within the next 75 days.
Microsoft Negotiations and Other Suitors
Microsoft had previously contemplated acquiring TikTok in 2020 when ByteDance sought a partner to maintain its U.S. operations. At that time, a deal failed to materialize, with Oracle ultimately stepping in — though no final agreement emerged.
Now Trump has again floated the idea of TikTok’s sale, saying he has communicated with several interested parties and expects a decision in the next 30 days. Potential buyers include not only Microsoft but also investor Kevin O’Leary, billionaire Frank McCourt, and YouTuber MrBeast, who earlier expressed interest in acquiring the platform.
TikTok’s Future in the U.S.
ByteDance has not commented on a possible sale, while Microsoft states it has “nothing to announce at this time.” However, the situation is fluid, and TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains uncertain.
Experts expect continued pressure from U.S. authorities, further talks with potential investors, and potential changes to the ownership structure of one of the world’s largest social media platforms.
Previously, TRON founder Justin Sun also expressed a desire to purchase the platform.
Who do you think will ultimately acquire TikTok?
This post is for informational purposes only and is not an ad or investment advice. Please do your own research making any decisions.