Washington, D.C. – With the April 5 deadline fast approaching, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain. Former President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that a deal to separate TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could be finalized before the deadline, potentially preventing a nationwide TikTok ban.
“There are a lot of potential buyers,” Trump said while speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, according to Reuters. “There’s tremendous interest in TikTok. I’d like to see TikTok remain alive.”
As pressure mounts, several high-profile investors and organizations have stepped forward with interest in purchasing TikTok. Some of the potential buyers include:
Project Liberty – Spearheaded by former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, this initiative seeks to create a more decentralized internet infrastructure. Investors backing this bid include “Shark Tank” entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
MrBeast and Employer.com – A consortium led by Employer.com CEO Jesse Tinsley has expressed interest, with YouTube superstar MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) also reportedly involved in the bid.
Perplexity AI – This U.S.-based artificial intelligence search engine has proposed a merger with TikTok rather than a direct acquisition, envisioning a new combined platform.
Bobby Kotick and Doug McMillon – Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick and Walmart CEO Doug McMillon have explored potential bids but have not yet made formal offers.
Microsoft and Rumble – Microsoft, which previously attempted to acquire TikTok in 2020, has been named alongside Rumble, a conservative streaming platform, as another possible buyer.
On March 24, three Democratic senators—Edward J. Markey (Massachusetts), Chris Van Hollen (Maryland), and Cory Booker (New Jersey)—sent a letter to Trump, urging him to work with Congress on a long-term resolution for TikTok.
“To the extent that you continue trying to delay the divestment deadline through executive orders, any further extensions will require Oracle, Apple, Google, and other companies to continue risking ruinous legal liability,” the letter stated.
Some lawmakers have introduced the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act, which, if passed, would shift the deadline to October 16, 2025.
Earlier this year, TikTok was effectively banned in the U.S. for about 12 hours, during which internet service providers blocked access to the platform, and major app stores removed TikTok from their marketplaces. This happened as part of the enforcement of the new federal law.
Under the legislation, tech giants like Google and Apple could face fines of $5,000 per user if they provide access to TikTok beyond the deadline. This has led to growing concerns among companies about the potential legal consequences of hosting or distributing the app.
Although Trump previously supported a TikTok ban during his first presidency, his stance shifted after his 2024 election victory. During the temporary ban in January, he reassured hosting providers and app stores that they could restore access to TikTok without facing legal penalties. Despite this, most companies waited until the following month to restore access, fearing repercussions.
If ByteDance does not secure a deal by April 5, the TikTok ban could take full effect. This would mean the app could no longer be accessed in the U.S., removed from all app stores, and restricted by internet providers. However, ByteDance has indicated that it would challenge the ban in court, arguing that allegations of data misuse remain unproven.
With over 150 million users in the United States, TikTok is one of the most widely used social media platforms. A ban could significantly impact influencers, content creators, and businesses that rely on the app for audience engagement and revenue generation.
With just days left before the April 5 deadline, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. While multiple investors have shown interest, the complexity of the sale and the regulatory scrutiny involved could delay progress. Whether TikTok continues to operate in the U.S. or faces an outright ban depends on ByteDance’s decision and how the U.S. government manages the security concerns surrounding the app.
For millions of American users, the wait continues—will they be able to keep using their favorite social media app, or will they witness a landmark TikTok ban in the United States?
