U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday extended by 75 days the deadline for TikTok to secure a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the United States, marking the second such reprieve for the popular video-sharing app.
"My Administration has been working very hard on a deal to save TikTok, and we have made tremendous progress," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, just hours before the previous deadline was set to expire. "A transaction requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days."
The new extension pushes the deadline to June 19. TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has been under pressure to sell its U.S. operations due to national security concerns. U.S. officials allege the app could be exploited by the Chinese government—a claim ByteDance denies.
Deal Hinges on U.S. and Chinese Approval
ByteDance confirmed it has been in talks with the U.S. government but cautioned that key issues remain unresolved. "An agreement has not been executed," the company said in a statement. "Any deal will be subject to approval under Chinese law."
Trump suggested the TikTok negotiations could be tied to broader trade discussions with China, including the potential easing of tariffs imposed during his administration. "We do not want TikTok to 'go dark.' We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the deal," he said.
Reports indicate that the proposed solution would involve U.S. investors in ByteDance transferring their stakes to a newly formed, independent TikTok entity. Oracle and private equity firm Blackstone are among the potential investors being brought in to reduce ByteDance’s ownership stake. Walmart has also reportedly expressed interest, following reports that retail rival Amazon was exploring a bid.
A Rollercoaster Timeline
TikTok faced an immediate ban in January under a law signed by Trump, just one day before his term ended. The app briefly disappeared from U.S. app stores, sparking backlash from its millions of American users. However, Trump quickly granted an initial 75-day extension, allowing TikTok to resume operations while negotiations continued.
The president, who once pushed for a full ban or forced sale, has recently softened his stance, citing TikTok’s popularity—particularly among younger voters. "We are confident we can find a solution that protects national security while keeping the platform available," he said Friday.
The extended deadline gives both sides more time to navigate complex regulatory hurdles, but with Chinese approval still uncertain, the app’s future in the U.S. remains in limbo.