Amid the imminent deadline for a U.S. ban on the popular platform, Amazon has made a last-minute attempt to acquire TikTok.
The move, revealed on Wednesday, comes as the Trump administration pushes for action before Saturday, April 5.
A U.S. government official confirmed that Amazon’s offer was sent in a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, although both Amazon and TikTok have yet to comment publicly on the matter. This comes as the Trump administration has set a firm deadline for a decision on TikTok's future in the United States.
Trump administration's push for a TikTok sale
The Trump administration has been adamant about the national security concerns related to TikTok's Chinese ownership. In response to this, the U.S. government has demanded that ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, either sell the platform or face its removal from the U.S. market. President Donald Trump had previously allowed TikTok a reprieve on Inauguration Day, but the administration’s pressure to sell the platform remains strong, with the final decision due in just days.
Amazon’s bid: Strategic move?
The news of Amazon’s bid is particularly intriguing, as the retail giant has entered the race to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations just as the deadline looms. While it remains unclear if ByteDance will agree to sell, Amazon’s bid places it alongside other high-profile contenders. These include Oracle, which had previously secured a 12.5% stake in TikTok Global, and several investment firms, including Blackstone.
Other potential bidders have also emerged, including a consortium led by businessman Frank McCourt, which has offered ByteDance $20 billion for TikTok’s U.S. operations. Another consortium, organized by payroll firm Employer.com founder Jesse Tinsley, has put forward an even larger offer of over $30 billion, while Wyoming entrepreneur Reid Rasner is reportedly offering $47.5 billion.
TikTok’s concerns and future uncertainty
The ongoing pressure from U.S. authorities stems from concerns that TikTok could potentially share sensitive user data with the Chinese government. While TikTok denies these allegations, and no concrete evidence has been presented, the matter continues to fuel discussions about privacy and national security.
As the deadline draws near, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, with Amazon’s bid adding a new layer of complexity to the ongoing saga.
The final decision will depend on whether ByteDance is willing to accept a buyer from the United States and whether such a sale can appease U.S. regulators’ security concerns.
