Former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an order approving the sale of TikTok’s American operations to U.S. investors. The move ends months of uncertainty about the future of the popular social media app in the country.
The deal gives American companies a majority stake in TikTok’s U.S. business. ByteDance, the Chinese parent company, will hold a minority share of less than 20 percent. The decision comes under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which required TikTok to separate from foreign control.
Trump’s order also provides 120 more days for the parties to complete the agreement. This extension allows time for technical reviews, regulatory checks, and final approvals. The plan is valued at around $14 billion, reflecting TikTok’s influence in the U.S. market.
A key part of the deal is control of data and algorithms. The algorithm will be retrained using U.S. data. This means ByteDance will no longer manage or influence how content is shown to American users. A new board will also oversee security to ensure compliance.
Trump said the agreement has support from both U.S. and Chinese authorities. He stressed that the platform will now be “fully American controlled.” Supporters of the move believe it protects user data and strengthens national security.
However, some critics still worry that indirect influence from China could remain. They point to technical ties that may continue even after the sale. The next steps depend on how both sides finalize the transition.
If completed, the sale ensures TikTok will continue to operate in the U.S. without restrictions. For millions of users, the app will look and feel the same. But behind the scenes, its ownership and control will shift firmly into American hands.
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