President Donald Trump has confirmed that a deal involving TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is expected to be completed before the approaching April 5 deadline, as reported by Reuters.
“We have a lot of potential buyers,” Trump told reporters. “There’s tremendous interest in TikTok.” He also expressed his desire for the app’s continued presence, stating, “I’d like to see TikTok remain alive.”
The deadline was initially set for earlier this year but was extended to April 5 in January after Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office. The order requires ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations due to concerns over data security and foreign influence.
Reuters reports that private equity giant Blackstone is considering acquiring a small stake in TikTok’s U.S. business. The firm is evaluating a potential collaboration with ByteDance’s existing non-Chinese investors, including Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic. This consortium has emerged as a leading contender in discussions over TikTok’s U.S. assets.
Although the April 5 deadline remains in place, Trump has previously indicated that he may grant another extension if negotiations require more time. The outcome of this deal will likely have significant implications for TikTok’s operations in the United States.