President Trump and ByteDance are both celebrating what they describe as the approval of a TikTok deal — but so far, no official details have been released. The announcement marks the latest twist in the long-running battle over TikTok’s future in the U.S., a saga fueled by national security concerns and political negotiations.
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Trump Hints at Deal, ByteDance Confirms Approval
Trump took to Truth Social to claim that he and China’s President Xi had approved a deal to secure TikTok’s U.S. operations. ByteDance quickly echoed the sentiment, saying the company would work to ensure TikTok remains available to American users through a new entity, TikTok U.S.
However, despite the public statements, neither side has provided concrete details about ownership, structure, or regulatory commitments. This lack of clarity has only fueled speculation.
Background: TikTok Ban and Negotiations
Earlier this year, TikTok faced a potential U.S. ban over national security concerns tied to its Chinese ownership. The Trump administration delayed enforcement multiple times after backlash from creators and users who rely on the platform for their livelihoods.
Behind the scenes, negotiations continued between U.S. officials, ByteDance, and potential investors. The central question: how to structure a deal that keeps TikTok accessible in the U.S. while addressing data security concerns.
Reported Structure of the Deal
According to The Wall Street Journal, investors like Oracle, Silver Lake, and Andreessen Horowitz would take an 80% stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations. ByteDance’s Chinese shareholders would keep a minority interest. The board of TikTok U.S. would reportedly be made up mostly of American members, with one seat reserved for a U.S. government appointee.
Still, without official confirmation, these details remain unverified.
Statements From Trump and ByteDance
On Truth Social, Trump described his call with Xi as “a very good one” and confirmed that TikTok approval was on the agenda. Meanwhile, a ByteDance spokesperson thanked both leaders for working to preserve TikTok in the U.S., pledging compliance with laws to keep the platform running smoothly.
What Comes Next for TikTok Users?
For now, TikTok remains available in the U.S., and creators can continue business as usual. But without official documents or government filings, uncertainty remains.
The bigger questions loom: Will the U.S. truly hold control over TikTok’s data? And will the deal satisfy ongoing national security concerns? Until the details are finalized, TikTok’s future in the U.S. is still in flux — even as Trump and ByteDance tout TikTok deal approval, but no official details yet.
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