TikTok’s Future in the U.S. Still Uncertain: Deal Talk Resurfaces Amid Quiet Ban

In what feels like déjà vu, former President Donald Trump is back in the headlines this week, discussing a possible deal with China regarding TikTok.

This time, though, things are a little different.

So... is TikTok banned or not?

Technically, yes. TikTok is banned in the U.S., but here’s the twist: there are no real consequences (yet) for it continuing to operate. It’s what some are calling a “soft ban.” The app is still available, still operating, and still very much thriving on millions of devices across the country. The lack of enforcement has left both users and creators in limbo.

A law that went into effect earlier this week states that TikTok could only receive one extension to complete a sale, but two weeks ago, Trump granted the app its third extension. So even if a deal isn’t reached it seems nothing will happen.

But something new happened this week.

Trump: “We pretty much have a deal”

While aboard Air Force One en route to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on Independence Day, Trump told reporters that the U.S. "pretty much" has a deal lined up to spin off TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new, American-owned company.

“I think we're gonna start Monday or Tuesday...talking to China, perhaps President Xi or one of his representatives,” Trump said. He also hinted that the deal would benefit both nations and praised his working relationship with President Xi.

This isn’t the first time a deal like this has been discussed. Earlier attempts to transition TikTok into a U.S.-majority-owned entity fizzled out—largely due to geopolitical friction and China’s pushback after new tariffs were announced.

Who would buy TikTok?

In a recent Fox News interview, Trump stated there’s a “group of very wealthy people” interested in acquiring TikTok. While no names were confirmed, he indicated that the deal would likely need China's blessing. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is caught in the middle, trying to satisfy both U.S. regulatory demands and Chinese government restrictions.

If TikTok’s U.S. operations are sold, the app wouldn’t function the same way. It would likely be re-released as a new, U.S.-only version with a different algorithm—essentially stripping away the very thing that makes TikTok… well, TikTok.

Why this matters

This renewed deal talk matters for creators, marketers, and tech companies alike. The uncertainty around TikTok’s future continues to make long-term planning tricky, especially for brands investing in influencer partnerships or community-building on the platform.

If a U.S. acquisition goes through, it could mean a new era of data handling and oversight. 

TL;DR

• TikTok is technically banned in the U.S., but it's still up and running.

• Trump says a deal is close, with U.S. investors lined up to buy the app.

• China would need to approve any deal due to current regulations.

• Creators and businesses remain in limbo while geopolitical chess continues.

  
  

For now, TikTok is still spinning its algorithmic magic in the U.S., but how long that will last remains a question only time (and maybe President Xi) can answer.