**TikTok’s Uncertain Future: A Pending Ban and Possible Sale**

TikTok might have evaded its prior deadline of January 19, but the risk of a ban continues to loom under President Donald Trump’s administration.

### A Fresh Deadline Approaches

Upon taking office, Trump directed the Department of Justice to postpone the enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days, establishing a fresh deadline of April 5. Although this extension could appear as sufficient time to negotiate a sale or seek an alternative resolution with ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, deadlines have a tendency to arrive much sooner than anticipated.

Here’s a look at the developments that have occurred since Trump’s inauguration and what to expect in the weeks ahead.

### What Must Occur

The scenario remains predominantly unchanged: TikTok needs to either divest its U.S. operations or finalize an arrangement that fulfills the demands of both Congress and the Trump administration. While the precise outcome is still unclear, it seems negotiations are underway.

Multiple parties, including the U.S. government, have reportedly shown interest in acquiring TikTok. Trump has even suggested the possibility of creating a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, which could be utilized to buy the platform.

“We may take some actions regarding TikTok, or we might not,” Trump commented this week. “If we land a favorable deal, we’ll proceed; otherwise, we won’t. But I possess the authority to make that decision. We might place whatever we earn, or if we partner with very affluent individuals, into the sovereign wealth fund. We have numerous options. That could, as an example, be included in the fund.”

### Possible Buyers

A number of corporations and prominent individuals have been tied to a potential acquisition of TikTok. In recent times, names like Oracle, Microsoft, and even affluent celebrities have emerged as potential contenders.

While ByteDance has been hesitant to sell, its position could be changing as the April 5 deadline approaches. ByteDance board member Bill Ford recently indicated that a sale seems plausible.

“It’s in everyone’s best interest,” Ford stated at an Axios event last month.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, time is dwindling once more. The following weeks will be critical in determining TikTok’s future in the U.S.