Trump Joins TikTok And Considers Extending Sales Deadline

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump stated that there are buyers from the United States who are interested in acquiring TikTok. He is also willing to extend the deadline for ByteDance, a Chinese-based company, to sell TikTok assets in the US. This statement was made on Friday, August 22, days after the White House officially joined the short video platform.

Speaking to reporters, Trump dismissed bipartisan concerns over national security related to TikTok. He said his government would monitor if any problems arose. Trump also mentioned that he would speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping, "at the right time."

Trump has repeatedly chosen not to enforce TikTok's sales deadline, as stipulated in the 2024 law requiring TikTok to stop operating in the US on January 19, 2025. Recently, he extended the deadline until September 17.

The White House officially joined TikTok on Tuesday. "I haven't spoken to President Xi about this yet," Trump told reporters while visiting the White House souvenir shop across from the president's residence. "While waiting for the settlement of complicated things, we're just extending it a little longer."

"We have a very potential American buyer who wants to buy it," he added without naming certain individuals or companies.

When asked if he was worried about national privacy or security, Trump replied, "I'm really not worried. I think it's too exaggerated... I'm a TikTok fan."

Last year's law required ByteDance to sell TikTok assets in the US or show significant progress towards sales. Trump chose not to enforce the rule after taking office on January 20. Several lawmakers criticized the delay, arguing that his government was ignoring national security laws and concerns over China's control of TikTok.