Trump Says ‘Wealthy’ Group Ready to Buy TikTok US Operations

Donald Trump dropped a bombshell Sunday morning: he says a “group of very wealthy people” is ready to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations—if China gives the thumbs up. He didn’t name names, just promised to reveal them in a couple of weeks. “I think President Xi will probably do it,” Trump told Fox News, sounding hopeful but leaving plenty of room for doubt.

This isn’t the first time TikTok’s future in America has been hanging by a thread. The clock is ticking: ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, has until September 17 to sell off its U.S. business or face a ban. The government’s concern? National security risks are tied to data privacy. Millions of Americans use TikTok daily, so a shutdown would shake up more than just social media—it would hit creators, advertisers, and businesses too.

The deal depends on Beijing’s approval, and with U.S.-China tensions still high, that’s a big hurdle. Past talks have stalled, and there’s no guarantee this time will be different.

That said, the pressure is real. Lawmakers from both parties want to see TikTok’s data shielded from Chinese influence, but they’re also wary of alienating millions of young users who’ve made the app a cultural force. Trump’s delays on enforcement have raised eyebrows—some see it as a political calculation, given TikTok’s sway among younger voters.

So here we are, waiting again. Will these anonymous buyers finally step into the spotlight? Will Beijing sign off, or are we gearing up for yet another plot twist in the TikTok saga? However it shakes out, the outcome won’t just settle TikTok’s future—it’ll reveal who’s steering the wheel in the global tech power struggle.