Trump says US in talks with four groups over TikTok sale

President Donald Trump has revealed that the United States is in discussions with four groups interested in acquiring TikTok, as the Chinese-owned social media platform faces an uncertain future in the country. A US law mandates that TikTok divest from its parent company, ByteDance, or be banned from operating in the United States. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed the ongoing negotiations but did not provide specifics. It could be, he said when asked if a deal was imminent. Were dealing with four different groups. And a lot of people want it, and its up to me, he added, emphasizing that all four potential buyers were good without naming them. The law banning TikTok took effect on January 19 amid concerns that the Chinese government could exploit the app for surveillance or covertly influence US public opinion. As the deadline approached, TikTok temporarily shut down its services in the United States and disappeared from app stores, sparking outrage among its millions of American users. However, after beginning his second term in January, Trump suspended the implementation of the ban for two-and-a-half months in an effort to negotiate a resolution with Beijing. This allowed TikTok to restore service and return to Apple and Google app stores in February. Among the potential buyers is The Peoples Bid for TikTok, an initiative led by real estate and sports tycoon Frank McCourts Project Liberty. Other contenders include tech giants Microsoft and Oracle, as well as a group involving popular internet personality MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson. Despite the mounting pressure, TikTok has not shown strong enthusiasm for selling its US operations. Trump previously attempted to ban the app during his first term in the White House, citing national security concerns. The ongoing negotiations suggest that TikToks fate in the US remains uncertain, with a final decision likely to hinge on political and legal developments in the coming weeks.The post Trump says US in talks with four groups over TikTok sale appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.