Trump Considers Investor Meeting to Prevent TikTok Ban

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with his aides on Wednesday to discuss potential investors for acquiring a stake in TikTok, a move that could avert a nationwide ban on the popular social media platform in the United States. This meeting comes in the wake of a law implemented on January 19, which mandates TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership due to national security concerns.

Initially, Trump had granted TikTok a temporary reprieve through an executive order that delayed enforcement of the divestment law until April 5. Among the notable potential investors are technology giant Oracle and investment firm Blackstone, both of which have shown interest in the app.

Attendees at the upcoming Oval Office meeting are expected to include Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

During a recent flight on Air Force One, Trump expressed his desire to see TikTok continue operating, stating that he might consider reducing tariffs on China if a sale is approved. His administration had previously attempted to ban TikTok, citing national security risks, but these efforts were stymied by legal challenges.

Trump acknowledged that TikTok's popularity among younger voters had positively impacted his electoral appeal, claiming significant support from this demographic during the last election cycle. He has indicated flexibility regarding the deadline for a TikTok deal, suggesting that further extensions could be possible if necessary.

The law requiring ByteDance to divest or face a ban was upheld by the Supreme Court, which left TikTok temporarily accessible to U.S. users after Trump's intervention to postpone the restrictions. The exact future of TikTok remains uncertain as the deadline approaches, with potential legal challenges anticipated if the platform is not sold to an approved buyer by the specified date.

Several parties have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok in recent months. Vice President Vance's aides have reached out to various companies, including the artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI, which previously presented a merger proposal to ByteDance. Additionally, a consortium led by businessman Frank McCourt has offered $20 billion, while another group organized by Jesse Tinsley is reportedly willing to pay over $30 billion for the platform.

Other interested parties include Microsoft and former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, along with Rumble, a video platform that has gained traction among certain political groups. As the deadline approaches, the outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for the future of TikTok in the United States.