US President Donald Trump has granted TikTok a lifeline, extending the deadline for the app to secure a non-Chinese buyer by an additional 75 days. The new deadline, set for June 19, 2025, comes as TikTok races against the clock to avoid a ban in the United States — a situation that has millions of American users on edge.
“I’m signing an Executive Order to give TikTok more time,” Trump announced on Truth Social, hours before the original deadline expired. “We’ve made tremendous progress on a deal, but some final approvals are still needed.”
TikTok, which boasts over 170 million users in the US alone, has been under intense scrutiny due to concerns about its Chinese ownership by ByteDance. Last year, a US law passed that orders TikTok to sever its ties with ByteDance or face shutdown. The national security fears behind the law stem from the belief that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government to influence American interests — claims that TikTok has vehemently denied.
Despite the looming deadline, Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a deal to find a buyer for TikTok’s US operations. Although details remain scarce, he has hinted that the deal may involve multiple investors, including Oracle, Blackstone, and possibly even Walmart. These names, particularly Oracle, have already been linked to TikTok’s future — Oracle already houses much of TikTok’s US operations, and its chairman, Larry Ellison, is a well-known Trump ally.
The extra time will help facilitate the negotiation of a solution that may see US investors in ByteDance roll over their stakes into a newly independent TikTok, significantly reducing ByteDance’s share. This would, in theory, create a TikTok entity that is more aligned with US interests.
However, there’s still a major question mark hanging over TikTok’s algorithm — the secret sauce behind the app’s viral success. Experts have compared TikTok without its algorithm to “Harry Potter without his wand,” suggesting that without it, the platform’s power would be severely diminished. The law, however, specifically targets the algorithm, which many fear could be weaponized by the Chinese government.
In addition to Oracle and Walmart, a last-minute bid from Amazon has reportedly emerged, further complicating the landscape. Even more surprising are bids from Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty, Perplexity AI, and even OnlyFans.
The situation remains fluid as both TikTok and the US government continue working toward a resolution. Trump’s administration has emphasized that they’re “working in good faith” with China to ensure the app’s future in the US while navigating the complicated geopolitics of the situation.
For now, TikTok users can breathe easy — but it’s still unclear whether the app will be allowed to continue its reign in the US or if a major restructuring is on the horizon.
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