President Trump reveals he is in talks with four groups to buy TikTok

In the United States, it remains unclear whether TikTok will be able to continue its service due to the impact of the TikTok ban. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump revealed that 'the US government is in contact with four organizations regarding the acquisition of TikTok.'

Trump says US talking to four different groups on sale of TikTok | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/trump-says-us-talking-four-different-groups-sale-tiktok-2025-03-10/

TikTok sale talks ongoing, Trump announces
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5185514-trump-tiktok-sale-talks/

In the United States, the ' Protecting Americans from Applications Controlled by Foreign Adversaries Act (commonly known as the TikTok Ban Act) ' came into force on January 19, 2025, and the distribution of ByteDance-made apps such as TikTok and Lemon8 was suspended . In addition, the TikTok service itself was temporarily suspended.

However, thanks to the efforts of President Trump, who was not yet inaugurated as president at the time, TikTok's service was restored within a few hours of being suspended . In addition, President Trump signed an executive order immediately after taking office to suspend the TikTok ban for 75 days.

President Trump signs executive order to suspend TikTok ban for 75 days - GIGAZINE

For a while after the announcement of the presidential order, TikTok was unavailable for download from the Apple and Google app stores, but the app was re-released in both stores on February 14, 2025. At this time, it was reported that Apple received a letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi stating that the Trump Administration had 'assured that it would not immediately impose a ban on TikTok.'

Apple and Google decide to resume distribution of TikTok app - GIGAZINE

Although the app's distribution has resumed, the '75-day' deadline set by the presidential order is fast approaching. The TikTok Ban Act stipulates that the President can postpone the implementation of the law for 90 days if a 'legally binding agreement for the sale of TikTok' is reached, so TikTok needs to hurry up and conclude the sale agreement in order to continue its service.

Meanwhile, on March 9, 2025, President Trump told reporters on the presidential plane, 'The U.S. government is in contact with four organizations about acquiring TikTok, and all options are on the table.' In addition, in response to a reporter's question, 'Will an agreement on TikTok be concluded soon?', President Trump replied, 'Probably.'

President Trump has not revealed details of the 'four organizations' participating in the negotiations, but on January 25, 2025, it was reported that major technology companies Microsoft and Oracle were in negotiations with TikTok.

Oracle and Microsoft reportedly in talks to acquire TikTok - GIGAZINE

Additionally, AI company Perplexity is reportedly making a merger proposal to TikTok.

Perplexity AI is exploring a merger with TikTok, with the US government potentially taking a 50% stake - GIGAZINE

Furthermore, on February 20, 2025, entrepreneur Reed Lasner came forward to acquire TikTok. At that time, it was revealed that Lasner offered a total of $47.45 billion (about 7 trillion yen) as the acquisition price.

An entrepreneur appears who is planning to buy TikTok for 7.16 trillion yen - GIGAZINE

In addition, when asked by a reporter at a press conference on January 21, 2025, 'Is there a way for Elon Musk to buy TikTok?', President Trump replied, 'If that's what he wants.' President Trump also said, 'I want Larry (Oracle founder Larry Ellison) to buy it too.'

President Trump presents a rescue plan for TikTok: 'Elon Musk or Larry Ellison will buy it and make it a joint venture with the United States' - GIGAZINE