The US President announced on Friday the successful deal that saved the TikTok application in the United States, confirming that its new ownership will go to a group of major American investors.
The President stated in a post on the “Truth Social” platform: “I am extremely happy that I helped save TikTok! It will now be owned by a group of great American patriots and investors, the largest in the world, and it will be an important voice.”
The US President pointed out that this move, along with other factors, contributed to boosting his performance in rallying youth votes during the 2024 presidential election, expressing hope that the app’s users and fans would remember him for a long time.
The President also thanked the Vice President and all members of the administration for their efforts in completing the deal, describing it as “dramatic, final, and very beautiful.”
Thanks were also extended to the Chinese President for the cooperation and final approval, considering the decision to be appreciated.
The deal puts an end to a long path of disputes between US authorities and the Chinese company “ByteDance,” the owner of the TikTok application, which Washington had demanded sell its US operations due to national security concerns and user data protection.
Under the agreement, the American company “Oracle,” the private investment fund “Silver Lake,” and the Abu Dhabi-based company “MGX” will collectively own 45 percent of the new entity, to be named “TikTok USDES.” American investors linked to ByteDance will retain about one-third of the shares of the new company, while “ByteDance” retains a 20 percent stake.
The new investors include the family office of Michael Dell, the New York investment firm “Alpha Wave,” and the Washington D.C.-based firm “Revolution,” founded by Steve Case and Ted Leonsis.
The joint venture will assume responsibility for protecting the data of American users, ensuring algorithm security, overseeing content policies, and retraining the TikTok algorithm on local user data to ensure that content displayed in the United States is free from any external influence.
Informed sources estimated the value of the deal at approximately $14 billion, while the establishment of the joint venture was considered a final solution after years of attempts to force TikTok to sell since 2020, when the President issued the first executive order on the matter.
The deal represents a strategic achievement for both the United States and the TikTok application, ending years of controversy over the influence of the Chinese app on US national security and user data protection.
It also reflects the ongoing efforts of the US President and the administration to ensure that major social media platforms are under the ownership of American investors, while maintaining their ability to grow and innovate in the American market.
The crisis began in August 2020 when the US President demanded the sale of TikTok’s US operations due to security concerns.
In 2024, Congress passed a law banning the app unless it was sold, before the Supreme Court upheld this law in January 2025. Negotiations then continued between ByteDance and the US government until a deal was reached to establish a joint venture in which American investors hold the majority, ensuring the protection of local user data.
TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform for sharing short-form videos, launched internationally in 2018 by the Chinese company ByteDance after merging with its predecessor, Musical.ly. It rapidly grew into a global cultural phenomenon, significantly influencing music, trends, and digital entertainment.
United States
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain, establishing itself through a revolutionary war and the ratification of its Constitution in 1789. It grew from thirteen original colonies into a global superpower, with a history significantly shaped by westward expansion, the Civil War, and large-scale immigration. Its diverse culture is a product of its indigenous heritage, colonial history, and its role as a nation of immigrants.
Truth Social
Truth Social is a social media platform launched in 2022 by Trump Media & Technology Group, founded by former U.S. President Donald Trump. It was created following Trump’s bans from major social networks after the January 6 Capitol riot, with the stated aim of providing a platform for “free expression” and as an alternative to what he described as “Big Tech censorship.”
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which reflect its long imperial past and profound cultural achievements. In the modern era, it has developed into a major global power with a unique blend of ancient traditions and rapid technological advancement.
ByteDance
ByteDance is a Chinese multinational internet technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming, best known for creating the social media platform TikTok. It has grown rapidly to become one of the world’s most valuable private companies, with a diverse portfolio of content platforms powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.
Oracle
The Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece was a major religious sanctuary dedicated to the god Apollo, where a priestess known as the Pythia delivered prophecies. It was considered the most important oracle in the classical world, consulted by individuals and city-states for centuries on matters ranging from personal decisions to founding new colonies. Its influence began to decline with the rise of Christianity in the late Roman Empire.
Silver Lake
Silver Lake is a residential and commercial neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, known for its historic role as a hub for the city’s entertainment and creative industries since the early 20th century. Originally developed around the man-made Silver Lake Reservoir, the area became famous for its mid-century modern architecture and as a center for the city’s independent music and art scenes.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, historically a settlement centered around a freshwater well and a pearl diving economy. It transformed rapidly in the late 20th century following the discovery of oil, becoming a modern global metropolis known for its striking architecture and cultural landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
MGX
MGX is a contemporary art museum located in Paris, France, dedicated to digital and electronic art. It was founded in 2018 by entrepreneur and collector Alain-Dominique Perrin, with the aim of exploring the intersection of art, science, and technology. The museum’s collection and exhibitions focus on works created from the 1960s to the present, highlighting the history and evolution of digital artistic practices.
TikTok USDES
“TikTok USDES” appears to be a typographical error, likely referring to the **U.S. Department of Education’s official TikTok account** (@usedgov). This account is used by the Department to share educational resources, student aid information, and policy updates with the public on the social media platform. It represents a modern effort by a federal agency to communicate directly with citizens, particularly younger audiences, through digital channels.
Michael Dell
Michael Dell is the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, a multinational computer technology company. He started the business in 1984 from his University of Texas dorm room, initially selling custom-built personal computers directly to customers, which revolutionized the PC industry’s sales model.
New York
New York City, originally a Dutch trading post called New Amsterdam in the early 17th century, grew into a major global port under British rule and later American independence. It is now a leading international center for finance, culture, and commerce, renowned for landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park.
Alpha Wave
“Alpha Wave” is not a widely recognized historical place or cultural site, but it is a term often used in neuroscience to describe a specific pattern of electrical activity in the brain associated with relaxed, wakeful states. The concept was discovered and named by German psychiatrist Hans Berger in the early 20th century through his pioneering work in developing electroencephalography (EEG).
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, was founded in 1790 to serve as the nation’s permanent seat of government, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution. It is a planned city, designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, and is home to iconic landmarks such as the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Supreme Court.
Revolution
The Revolution, often referred to as the Iranian Revolution of 1979, was a popular uprising that overthrew the Pahlavi monarchy and established the Islamic Republic of Iran. It was a pivotal event in modern history, driven by widespread opposition to the Shah’s rule and led by religious figures, most prominently Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Steve Case
Steve Case is an American entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of AOL (America Online), which played a pivotal role in popularizing the internet for mainstream consumers in the 1990s. He served as AOL’s CEO and later orchestrated its historic merger with Time Warner in 2000.
Ted Leonsis
Ted Leonsis is an American entrepreneur, investor, and sports team owner, best known as the majority owner of the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), and Washington Mystics (WNBA). He purchased the Capitals and a stake in the Wizards in 1999, later acquiring full control of both franchises and playing a major role in the development of the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Congress
The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government, established by Article I of the U.S. Constitution in 1789. It is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, responsible for making federal laws, declaring war, and overseeing the budget.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the nation, established in 1789 under Article III of the U.S. Constitution. It serves as the final arbiter of federal law and the Constitution, with its landmark decisions shaping American civil rights, governance, and society throughout its history.