Trump reveals Microsoft in talks to acquire TikTok amid national security concerns

Tuesday 28 January 2025 - 10:35

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that Microsoft is one of the companies in discussions to purchase the popular video-sharing app TikTok, aiming to avoid a potential ban due to national security issues.

When asked about Microsoft's involvement in acquiring TikTok, Trump responded affirmatively, stating that there was significant interest in the platform. However, he did not disclose the full list of U.S. companies involved in the negotiations. He further mentioned that he welcomes competitive bidding as it tends to result in the best deals.

Microsoft declined to comment on the matter, while TikTok did not provide an immediate response. The app had temporarily gone offline in the U.S. on January 18 to comply with a law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the platform or face a ban.

After taking office, Trump temporarily suspended enforcement of this law for 75 days to explore alternatives to a ban. While he previously sought to prohibit TikTok due to concerns about national security, Trump changed his position during his 2024 campaign, vowing to “save” the app.

The law facilitating the potential ban was signed by former President Joe Biden, driven by bipartisan concerns that TikTok could be used to collect personal data from U.S. citizens and influence public opinion. Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law, dismissing claims that it infringed on free speech protections under the U.S. Constitution.