Trump Announces Wealthy Buyer for TikTok, Seeks China Approval

President Donald Trump announced that a group of very wealthy investors has been found to purchase TikTok's U.S. operations, with the identities of the buyers to be revealed in about two weeks. The sale requires approval from China, and Trump expressed confidence that Chinese President Xi Jinping will grant it. The U.S. government has extended the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest its American assets multiple times, most recently until September 17, to avoid banning the app amid national security concerns. Trump has credited TikTok with helping boost his support among young voters and has expressed a personal fondness for the platform, leading to his efforts to keep it operational in the United States. The situation reflects ongoing tensions in the U.S.-China tech rivalry, with lawmakers concerned about data security and disinformation risks posed by the app’s Chinese ownership. Public reaction includes support for keeping TikTok under American ownership to protect user data and maintain access to the popular app.