Who Will Buy TikTok? The Race Against Time to Save the App

• With the April 5 deadline approaching for a sale of its U.S. operations, in the absence of which there may be a complete ban on operations in the country, Amazon is bidding at the last minute, but reports say officials are not taking their bid seriously.
• Others in the running are Oracle, Frank McCourt, and AI startup Perplexity, but various legal and regulatory hurdles, China included, will affect TikTok’s future.

Amazon was said to have made a last-minute bid for the purchase of the American operations of TikTok, just when it seemed that the fate of TikTok was sealed in the U.S. With the government’s deadline fast approaching on April 5, this latest twist further complicates an already convoluted affair. Still, reports say that the officials do not regard Amazon’s interest with any earnestness.

For the 170 million users across the U.S. who look to TikTok for leisure, community, and even income, this saga feels like an endless loop. Almost every other month, there are talks of a ban, then a deal, and then another deadline. So, what is the truth? Is there still a chance for TikTok to survive in the U.S.?

Why Does TikTok Face So Many Complications?

For several years now, TikTok has been toeing the line in the U.S. For years, lawmakers have raised national security concerns, suggesting that ByteDance may be exchanging user data with the Chinese government. The grounds are concerns that the Chinese government could have access to millions of Americans’ data and that TikTok’s strong algorithms could be used to sway public opinion.

To address such doubts, the US government has requested ByteDance that it should either sell off the U.S. operations of TikTok or it would be banned throughout the country. While an earlier deadline was missed in January, an extension has brought us to this very moment in time: April 5.

Now, with the time ticking, the fortunes of TikTok hang in the balance once again.

Who are the potential buyers of TikTok?

Should ByteDance elect to sell, there are more than enough willing buyers. The names in contention include:

• Frank McCourt, former owner of the LA Dodgers, alongside investor Kevin O’Leary.
• MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) and Jesse Tinsley, founder of Employer.com.
• The AI startup is called Perplexity.
• Oracle, TikTok’s current technical partner in the U.S., is considered a serious contender.

Oracle is said to be a strong candidate, as it is already in charge of TikTok U.S. data operations. If, by chance, it clinches the deal, then it may have a minor ownership stake and obtain further investments in the U.S.

Apart from these big names, the mobile tech company AppLovin is also making overtures for the acquisition and is reportedly seeking funding with the help of former Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn. Meanwhile, Tim Stokely, the creator of OnlyFans, is throwing his name in the mix through a new initiative to buy the platform called Zoop, in partnership with the Hbar Foundation.

Yet another obstacle involves the simple fact that China has not approved the sale. With its thumbs down, even the most promising deal could fall apart.

Could TikTok Get Another Extension?

With the conspicuous back-and-forth involved, any extension given to TikTok is hardly surprising. There are suggestions from weirdly confirmed sources, including Donald Trump, about giving more time to ByteDance if they come close to an agreement but stop a little short.

Yet nothing is for sure. Lawmakers are eager to see something happen, and now there’s pressure for a decision.

What If We Miss a Deal?

If no sale is made, TikTok may be permanently deleted from U.S. app stores after April 5, effectively barring all new downloads and putting Apple and Google in a very unpleasant legal position with regard to enforcing the ban.

But TikTok is standing firm. It had previously challenged the sale order in the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that it should not be forced to sell under free speech protections. The Supreme Court heard arguments in January 2025, holding the view that the sale-or-ban law could be sanctioned by political negotiations rather than by ongoing court proceedings.

What’s Next?

As of now, the situation remains uncertain. Should an agreement come to pass, TikTok may be reborn under American ownership, which may include some new rules around data privacy. Should there be no agreement, it’s game over for TikTok in the U.S.

For millions of audience users, content creators, and all types of businesses that rely on the platform, this is much more than corporate drama—it’s about keeping alive their digital livelihoods.

With just the deadline days left, the question now is, will TikTok survive in the U.S., or is this the end?