Trump Confirms TikTok Sale Deal Before April 5 Deadline

April 1, 2025 — President Donald Trump has confirmed that a deal for TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular short-video app will be finalized before the April 5 deadline, set in January under a 2024 national security law. Speaking aboard Air Force One on March 30, Trump told reporters, “We have a lot of potential buyers,” emphasizing his hope that TikTok, used by 170 million Americans, can continue operating in the U.S. The law mandates ByteDance to divest TikTok to a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban over concerns of data privacy and influence operations by Beijing.

Reports suggest private equity firm Blackstone is eyeing a minority stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations, potentially partnering with ByteDance’s non-Chinese shareholders like Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, who are currently leading the negotiations. Trump has hinted that China’s approval is crucial and even suggested tariff reductions to ease the deal, a move that has raised eyebrows given the ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions. TikTok has not yet commented on the developments, leaving some uncertainty in the air.

Vice President JD Vance, overseeing the White House-led talks, expressed confidence that an agreement will be in place by the deadline. However, with the app’s future still hanging in the balance, the coming days will be critical. A successful deal could ensure TikTok’s survival in the U.S., blending national security with the app’s cultural impact—a win Trump seems eager to secure.