TikTok’s Final Countdown: Will a Deal Be Reached by April 5?
As the deadline to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations approaches, users of the wildly popular app are feeling the weight of uncertainty. With just days left before April 5, TikTok faces the looming threat of a ban in the United States unless its parent company, ByteDance, successfully reaches an agreement to sell the app. For the 170 million Americans who rely on TikTok for news, entertainment, and income, the question remains: what happens next?
A Tumultuous Path to a Potential Sale
The journey to this critical moment has been anything but straightforward. The issue first arose under former President Donald Trump, who in 2020 sought to ban TikTok due to national security concerns. The app’s connection to its China-based parent company, ByteDance, raised fears that the Chinese government could access U.S. user data or influence the app’s content.
In 2023, President Joe Biden took action, passing legislation that required ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a ban. A deadline was set, but no deal emerged, leading to a brief suspension of the app in the U.S. TikTok returned to app stores after Trump intervened, extending the deadline to April 5, 2025, in hopes of facilitating a sale to an American company.
Trump’s position on TikTok has evolved over time. While initially adamant about banning the app, Trump admitted his change of heart after personally using it. In recent statements, he also downplayed the national security risks, questioning the significance of China’s alleged influence over the app.
Potential Buyers Emerge
Several high-profile groups are now vying for TikTok’s U.S. assets, eager to take the reins of a platform that has redefined social media. Among the rumored buyers are billionaire Frank McCourt, who previously owned the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Kevin O’Leary, the star investor of Shark Tank. Another group, which includes viral YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), has also shown interest.
The frontrunner, however, seems to be Oracle, TikTok’s current U.S. technology partner. Reports indicate that a deal could involve ByteDance retaining a minority stake, with further investments from American entities such as General Atlantic and Susquehanna International Group. Oracle has yet to confirm these discussions publicly.
Trump has also floated the idea of involving a new U.S. sovereign wealth fund to acquire the app, although no details have emerged regarding how this could work.
The Countdown to April 5
With the clock ticking, the stakes are high. JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President overseeing the potential TikTok sale, remains optimistic about reaching a deal before the deadline. Speaking in March, Vance suggested that a high-level agreement would likely be in place to ensure TikTok’s future in the U.S. However, finalizing the deal could take additional time.
Under the current law, ByteDance must divest its control of TikTok’s U.S. operations, with no more than a 20% stake remaining. The app must also sever ties with ByteDance in terms of algorithm management and data-sharing practices.
However, there’s a possibility that Trump might grant another extension if an agreement remains out of reach. Though such a move could be legally contentious, Trump’s broad authority over the enforcement of the sale-or-ban law may offer him the flexibility to act unilaterally.
What Happens if a Deal Fails?
Should negotiations collapse before the deadline, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains murky. While app stores like Apple and Google could face significant fines for continuing to host TikTok, the decision may ultimately depend on Trump’s stance on enforcement. If Trump signals that he won’t push for immediate compliance, technology companies may feel more secure in allowing TikTok to remain accessible.
The platform has made efforts to stay on Trump’s good side, with the app even displaying a message to users acknowledging the President’s role in its return in January. TikTok is likely hoping for his continued support as negotiations reach their final stages.
The Uncertain Road Ahead
As the deadline approaches, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain. Will ByteDance strike a deal with an American buyer in time? Or will the app face another shutdown, leaving millions of users in limbo? As the clock ticks down to April 5, all eyes remain on the negotiations, which will determine whether TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains secure—or if it will become just another casualty of the ongoing tech and geopolitical tug-of-war.
