Oracle? MrBeast? Elon Musk? Kevin O’Leary? Steven Mnuchin? Perplexity AI? Microsoft? Amazon? The U.S. government?
The battle to ban TikTok is far from over, and its fate hangs in the balance as potential buyers emerge, eager to save the beloved app from disappearing from U.S. app stores. What started as a quiet government concern about national security escalated into a political and legal showdown, turning TikTok into a symbol of modern free speech and international tensions.
How We Got Here: The TikTok Ban Saga
Back in 2019, U.S. legislators started banning TikTok from government devices, citing fears that the app’s parent company, ByteDance, could be compelled to share user data with the Chinese Communist Party under China’s strict intelligence laws. Those concerns intensified, and in 2024, then-President Joe Biden signed a bill that would ban TikTok unless ByteDance sold the platform to an American company.
The legislation faced fierce opposition from First Amendment rights activists, who argued that Americans have a constitutional right to access information, even from foreign sources. The case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court, where justices unanimously upheld the ban. TikTok went dark in the U.S. — but only for 12 hours.
That’s because now-President Donald Trump stepped in, announcing an extension before the law would take effect, giving TikTok one last shot at survival. The app is back on app stores — for now. But with the April 5 deadline looming, the only way to keep TikTok alive in the U.S. is for another company to buy it.
ByteDance insists they don’t want to sell. Yet, behind the scenes, tech giants, billionaires, and even content creators are reportedly exploring deals. Let’s break down the biggest names rumored to be in the running to buy TikTok — and what each potential takeover could mean for the platform’s future.
The Contenders: Who Might Buy TikTok?
Oracle: The Leading Candidate
One of the most credible potential buyers is Oracle. In fact, reports surfaced that Oracle had already struck a deal to take control of TikTok, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake. Under this agreement, Oracle would oversee the app’s algorithm, data collection practices, and software updates — essentially taking charge of the very aspects that sparked national security concerns.
Although Trump denied he was actively brokering a deal, he publicly expressed support for Oracle’s chairman, Larry Ellison, buying TikTok. If Oracle takes the reins, TikTok could maintain its core functionality, but with stricter data oversight.
MrBeast: From Content King to Tech Mogul?
Imagine a world where TikTok is run by one of its biggest stars. Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, joked on X (formerly Twitter), “Okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.” But according to CNN, his lawyers later confirmed he was serious.
Donaldson’s track record of building successful ventures around his massive audience suggests he could bring a unique creator-first vision to TikTok. However, it remains unclear if his investor group could finance a deal this massive.
Kevin O’Leary & Project Liberty: A Shark in the Water
Canadian investor and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary threw his hat in the ring, joining forces with Project Liberty founder Frank McCourt on “The People’s Bid for TikTok.” Their group reportedly offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash. O’Leary has said he’d love to work with Trump to close the deal, but whether they can outbid tech giants remains to be seen.
Steven Mnuchin: The Political Power Player
Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has assembled an investor group with the goal of buying TikTok, though details remain scarce. Mnuchin has a history with the platform — he helped broker the failed 2020 Oracle-Walmart deal under Trump’s administration. His close ties to political leaders could give him an edge in navigating the regulatory hurdles a sale would face.
Perplexity AI & The U.S. Government: A Controversial Solution
One of the more unusual proposals comes from the U.S.-based search engine Perplexity AI, which reportedly offered to form a new holding company, “NewCo,” to merge with TikTok. The twist? The U.S. government could end up owning up to 50% of the new company.
This arrangement could alleviate security concerns, but it raises massive free speech issues. Content moderation is already a contentious issue for private companies — imagine the complications if government officials had a direct stake in TikTok’s future.
Microsoft: Back in the Game?
Microsoft tried to buy TikTok in 2020, and recent reports suggest the tech giant might be back at the negotiating table. While Microsoft has remained quiet about the current talks, its infrastructure and experience with consumer products could make it a stable, reliable home for TikTok.
Bobby Kotick: The Gaming Executive’s Gambit
IGN reported that former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick was interested in acquiring TikTok. While he hasn’t made any public statements, Kotick’s involvement could hint at a future where TikTok leans further into gaming, interactive content, and digital monetization.
Rumble: The Underdog Contender
Rumble, a video-sharing platform that positions itself as a free speech alternative to YouTube, reportedly put in an offer for TikTok in March 2024. Rumble’s audience skews politically conservative, which could dramatically shift TikTok’s culture if the company takes control.
Amazon: The E-Commerce Giant Makes a Play
According to Forbes, Amazon has been quietly exploring a deal to buy TikTok. With its vast resources and mastery of online retail, Amazon could transform TikTok into a social shopping powerhouse. However, increased commercialization might alienate users who cherish TikTok’s more spontaneous, community-driven vibe.
A U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund?
In a wild twist, Trump suggested that the U.S. could establish a sovereign wealth fund to buy TikTok. While this could solve the national security dilemma, it also presents serious free speech issues. Would content critical of the government be suppressed? The idea remains purely speculative, but it underscores how unconventional this saga has become.
What’s Next for TikTok?
As the April 5 deadline looms, TikTok’s future hangs by a thread. Will an American company step in to save the app? Or will users wake up one day to find their favorite platform wiped from their phones?
One thing is certain: TikTok’s impact on culture, communication, and creativity is undeniable. Whether it survives this storm — and who, if anyone, ends up owning it — will shape the future of social media for years to come.
Stay tuned, because this story is far from over.
