Former President Donald Trump has revealed that he is working with a group of “very wealthy people” who are prepared to purchase TikTok’s U.S. operations, as the social media platform faces a critical deadline to divest from its Chinese parent company or face a nationwide ban.
In a recent televised interview, Trump said he expects to announce the identities of the investors within the next two weeks. Though he remained vague on details, he claimed that the group is “strong, capable, and highly motivated” to close the deal and keep the popular short-form video platform operational in the United States.
“We have a great team,” Trump said. “These are very wealthy people, smart people, and I think they can make this happen.”
The announcement adds a new twist to the long-running debate over TikTok’s ownership and its place in the American digital landscape. Lawmakers have raised concerns for years over TikTok’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, citing fears about data privacy, censorship, and foreign influence. In response, federal legislation now requires ByteDance to divest from TikTok’s U.S. operations or face an effective ban on the app.
The current deadline for the divestment is September 17. Though the app has continued to operate while negotiations are ongoing, its future in the United States hangs in the balance.
Trump’s claim that a buyer group is lined up could give ByteDance and U.S. regulators a new path forward. However, any sale would still face a number of obstacles. First and foremost is the issue of regulatory approval—not just in the United States, but in China, where government authorities would need to sign off on any transfer of core technologies such as TikTok’s recommendation algorithm.
The Chinese government has previously signaled its reluctance to allow such a sale, especially if it involves sensitive tech assets. Trump acknowledged this challenge but said he believes a deal is still possible. “I think President Xi will probably go along with it,” he said, referring to the Chinese president.
If successful, the deal could bring TikTok under American ownership while preserving its massive user base in the U.S., which includes over 150 million users. The platform has become deeply embedded in American culture, especially among younger audiences, and plays a major role in entertainment, e-commerce, and even political campaigning.
Trump, who previously tried to force a sale of TikTok while in office, now appears more focused on preserving the platform under the right conditions. During the interview, he suggested that TikTok helped boost his own popularity among young voters during the 2024 presidential election. “It’s a powerful tool,” he said. “People use it to express themselves, share ideas, and connect. We shouldn’t just throw that away.”
Still, the clock is ticking. With just over two months remaining before the ban deadline, any deal will need to be finalized quickly, including negotiations with ByteDance, compliance with U.S. legal requirements, and possible approvals from Chinese regulators.
Trump said his team is already in discussions and that more details would be made public soon. “We’re going to make an announcement,” he said. “People will be very impressed.”
For now, TikTok users, investors, and policymakers are all watching closely. The platform’s fate could hinge on whether this mystery group of wealthy investors can strike a deal in time — and whether it will be accepted by both Washington and Beijing.
As the battle over TikTok enters its final phase, Trump’s reemergence as a key player adds both urgency and uncertainty to an already high-stakes situation.
