TikTok gets a temporary break: Trump extends the deadline for its sale

The future of TikTok in the United States remains in limbo after President Donald Trump announced plans to grant a third extension to ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of the social media giant.

The move gives ByteDance an additional 90 days to finalize a deal to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations, forestalling an outright ban that had previously loomed under federal law.

Executive Action and National Security Goals

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the pending Executive Order, saying the administration is seeking a path that preserves American access to TikTok while ensuring data protection and national security.

“This extension will allow room for negotiations so Americans can continue using TikTok safely,” Leavitt said.

Both TikTok and ByteDance missed a prior deadline to complete the sale. Trump, in a BBC interview, hinted at the extension, saying Chinese approval would likely be necessary and expressing confidence that President Xi Jinping would agree.

Trump also emphasized that he has legal authority to delay the enforcement of the original mandate, even after the Supreme Court upheld the law earlier this year.

Legal Tensions with Congressional Action

Trump’s decision to delay the ban directly contradicts legislation passed by Congress in 2024, requiring TikTok to either be sold to a U.S.-based company or face a ban due to national security concerns. That law was signed by then-President Biden, citing fears of Chinese surveillance and influence operations targeting TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users.

TikTok’s Market Confidence Grows

Despite the uncertainty, TikTok is signaling confidence in its future. At the Cannes Lions Festival, it launched new AI-powered creative tools, drawing attention in the advertising industry.

“For all practical purposes, there’s no threat of a TikTok ban anymore,” said Kelsey Chickering, a principal analyst at Forrester. “Smaller competitors like Snap might try to gain ground, but TikTok’s momentum is strong.”

Chickering emphasized that recent moves indicate TikTok is “not in limbo anymore,” despite ongoing legal and political challenges.

Potential Buyers and Unfinished Deals

Negotiations to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets remain unfinished, with several potential buyers still on the table.

Among them is Oracle, whose co-founder Larry Ellison is a vocal Trump supporter. Others include Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, billionaire Frank McCourt, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and even popular YouTuber MrBeast, who may join an investor consortium.

Trump’s team confirmed in April that the U.S. and China were “close” to a deal that would grant American majority control, but ByteDance says “key issues” remain unresolved and any final decision requires China’s approval.

The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, suspended between legislative mandates, executive actions, and cross-border deal-making. For now, the platform remains operational — and widely used — as its next chapter continues to unfold.