As the deadline for a potential TikTok sale approaches, a growing list of buyers, both confirmed and rumored, has emerged. The popular social media platform, which faces being banned in the United States unless it sells to an American company by April 5, is under immense pressure. Despite this, TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, has not confirmed its willingness to proceed with a deal, nor have they accepted the claim that their ties to the Chinese government pose a national security risk, which is the basis for the US government’s push for the sale.
While the terms of the sale remain unclear, especially regarding the fate of TikTok’s highly influential algorithm, which determines the content users see, the deadline for the decision looms large. Experts like Kelsey Chickering, a principal analyst at Forrester Research, have pointed out that “TikTok without its algorithm is like Harry Potter without his wand.” Despite the uncertainty, Chickering believes it’s unlikely the app will be shut down in the US again, citing the high likelihood of a deal or an extension being agreed upon before the Saturday deadline.
Among the bidders, the identity of those vying for TikTok is still shrouded in speculation. Amazon recently sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressing interest in the platform. However, Amazon has declined to comment on the matter. Another potential bidder, AppLovin, an app marketing and analytics company, has similarly remained silent on the speculation surrounding their interest.
One high-profile figure involved in a late-stage bid is Tim Stokely, the British entrepreneur and OnlyFans founder. Known as “the king of homemade porn,” Stokely’s bid coincides with the relaunch of a company he co-founded in 2022, adding significant media attention to his proposal. Additionally, AI search startup Perplexity, backed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, has confirmed its interest in acquiring TikTok. Perplexity recently shared its vision for what its version of TikTok would look like in the US, fueling further interest.
Frank McCourt, founder of Project Liberty, has also entered the fray, advocating for a more open version of TikTok’s algorithm that would give users more control over what they see. McCourt’s bid includes key figures such as Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary.
There are also reports of a consortium of American businesses, including Trump loyalist Marc Andreessen and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, nearing US government approval for a bid. Oracle already handles TikTok’s US data, which could play a key role in their proposal.
In addition, high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Microsoft’s 2020 bid for TikTok have been mentioned by President Trump as potential players in the acquisition. Meanwhile, YouTube star MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has also claimed he’s been approached by multiple groups trying to involve him in a bid.
Despite the growing number of interested parties, a significant challenge remains: ByteDance has yet to agree to sell TikTok, meaning any potential buyer must navigate the complex hurdle of acquiring a company that is not currently for sale. As the clock ticks down to the April 5 deadline, the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, with numerous high-stakes negotiations and bids still in play.
