With TikTok's Future in Limbo: Amazon Joins the List of Potential Buyers.
President Donald Trump has stated that he is "very close" to finalizing a deal for a buyer of TikTok, which is at risk of being banned in the United States if its Chinese parent company does not sell the app by the weekend.
A bipartisan law enacted by Congress last year requires ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest the app.
In January, the platform experienced a temporary shutdown in the US for one day after the law was implemented, until Trump intervened and postponed the ban until April 5.
The US government has expressed concerns that TikTok poses a national security risk, as Chinese authorities could potentially access its extensive user data, a claim that Beijing has denied.
Who Are The Potential Buyers For TikTok?
While speaking aboard Air Force One on Thursday, Trump mentioned that "multiple investors" are nearing a deal.
He also proposed that the US could facilitate a transaction in which China would approve the sale of TikTok in exchange for a reduction in US tariffs on Chinese goods.
Several potential buyers have emerged in various reports.
According to CBS, Amazon has made a last-minute offer to the White House to acquire TikTok, although the company has refrained from commenting.
Trump has indicated a willingness to sell TikTok to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Elon Musk, despite Musk's assertion that he has no plans to make a purchase.
Other interested parties include billionaire Frank McCourt and Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary, a well-known investor from the US TV show Shark Tank.
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, announced on X last month that he has joined McCourt's bid.Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, the world's most prominent YouTuber, has also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok as part of a consortium of investors.
Tim Stokely, the British founder of OnlyFans, has also proposed purchasing TikTok through his newly re-launched company, Zoop.
Additionally, major players such as Microsoft, private equity firm Blackstone, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and search engine Perplexity AI are reportedly considering acquiring a stake in the app.
The White House is said to be exploring a scenario in which ByteDance retains ownership of TikTok's algorithm while leasing it to a newly established entity that would manage the video-sharing platform in the United States.
What Happens If No Agreement Is Reached?
Should an agreement not be finalized by April 5, TikTok may once again be at risk of a ban in the US, potentially leading to its removal from app stores.
In January, Trump issued an executive order that merely postponed the ban on TikTok for 75 days.
This order did not revoke the ban enacted by Congress, which was subsequently upheld by the US Supreme Court.
RELATED: Trump May Cut Tariffs to Facilitate TikTok Sale, Says Deal Possible by April 5.
While Trump could choose to let the law remain in effect, he might instruct the Department of Justice to disregard it.
This would imply that the government would inform Apple and Google that they would not face penalties for allowing users to download TikTok on their devices.
In February, TikTok was reinstated on both Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store after the companies were reportedly assured they would not incur any repercussions for hosting the app.
Trump has also indicated that he might "probably" extend the deadline if necessary.
What Alternative Platforms Could TikTok Users Consider?
TikTok reports having 170 million users in the United States, who, on average, spend 51 minutes daily on the platform in 2024.
Experts suggest that competitors like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts may gain an advantage if efforts to facilitate a sale of TikTok by Trump do not come to fruition.
"Chief marketing officers we have consulted indicated that they would reallocate their advertising budgets to Meta and Google if TikTok becomes unavailable for advertising," stated Kelsey Chickering, an analyst at Forrester, a market research firm.
RELATED: Instagram Plans Standalone Reels App to Challenge TikTok.
Additionally, potential beneficiaries include Amazon's Twitch, which gained popularity through livestreaming—a feature that resonates well with TikTok users. While Twitch is primarily recognized among gamers, its content offerings are diversifying.
Other Chinese-owned platforms, such as Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote to its American audience, have experienced significant growth in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
As a TikTok user myself, I’m genuinely hoping it doesn’t get banned. Beyond just fun videos and trends, it’s a lifeline for countless creators who rely on the platform for their income. TikTok has built an incredible community where creativity, education, and entertainment thrive.
It gives people a voice, fosters small businesses, and brings joy to millions every day. Losing it would mean more than just the end of an app — it would impact real lives and livelihoods. I truly hope a solution is reached that allows TikTok to continue inspiring, connecting, and empowering people across the country.
