U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed, as reported by Bloomberg, that Microsoft is in talks to purchase the U.S. division of ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok. When questioned about the possible acquisition, Trump expressed his approval, saying, “I would say yes,” and noted that there is “great interest in TikTok.”
The popular short video app, boasting more than 170 million users in the U.S., has caught the attention of different areas within the U.S. tech industry. Alongside Microsoft, the AI startup Perplexity has put forth a proposal to combine with TikTok’s U.S. operations. Additionally, billionaire Frank McCourt, who previously owned the Los Angeles Dodgers, made a bid to acquire the app earlier this month.
Microsoft and Oracle Corp have previously expressed interest in TikTok, particularly back in 2020 when Trump urged ByteDance to either sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or risk a ban. Even with the recent reports, Microsoft has chosen not to comment on its potential involvement.
On Monday, Trump spoke to Republican lawmakers in Florida and hinted at the current discussions regarding TikTok’s future. While he had once favored a ban on the app over national security issues, his position has changed, in part because of its popularity among pro-Trump supporters. He stressed that any agreement would guarantee that “China won’t be involved” and that TikTok’s operations would remain in the United States.
Trump has granted ByteDance a 75-day extension from a regulation that mandates the sale of its U.S. operations to a domestic firm. He expressed his enthusiasm for competitive bidding, stating, “I enjoy bidding wars because they lead to the best deals.” The President’s remarks indicate that additional offers may emerge, intensifying the competition in the acquisition process.
As several bidders compete for control, it is still uncertain who will end up acquiring the platform’s American operations.
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