A billionaire investor pursuing TikTok’s US operations says uncertainty dominates as another deadline approaches. The United States has postponed the app’s forced sale multiple times. Officials warn the platform could face a ban without a finalised deal. President Donald Trump appears ready to extend the deadline again on Tuesday. This step would mark the fifth delay since Congress passed the law.
Investor Frank McCourt said his group remains on standby. He said the investors are ready to act immediately. McCourt said they already secured the necessary capital for a purchase. He added that repeated delays block strategic planning. The prolonged uncertainty, he said, leaves buyers trapped in limbo.
Law Targets Ownership and Data Concerns
Congress passed the legislation in 2024 and set January as the initial deadline. Lawmakers said Chinese ownership posed national security risks. They warned Beijing could pressure ByteDance to hand over US user data. Officials said those concerns justified a forced sale or ban. TikTok and ByteDance repeatedly denied the accusations. Company leaders said the claims lack evidence.
President Joe Biden signed the law before leaving office. The Supreme Court upheld the legislation in early 2025. The ruling cleared the final legal hurdle. Despite that, the administration delayed enforcement. Each extension heightened political scrutiny.
Deal Promises Fail to Materialize
Trump and senior officials previously said a deal was complete. They claimed Chinese President Xi Jinping approved the plan. Trump said experienced American investors would acquire the platform. He named Oracle chairman Larry Ellison and Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell. Officials said leaders would formalise the deal during an October meeting.
That meeting ended without agreement. ByteDance never confirmed approval of a sale. Chinese authorities also remained silent. Officials now avoid suggesting a deal is near. Most analysts expect yet another extension.
Investors Warn of Platform Influence
McCourt said concentrated power in social media raises concerns. He said platforms like TikTok strongly influence public debate. He declined to name investors backed by the White House. McCourt works with a group including Alexis Ohanian and Kevin O’Leary.
He said he hopes the platform either shuts down or sells legally. He wants ownership that fully complies with US law. McCourt said his plan removes all Chinese technology. He said Project Liberty developed alternative systems. Those systems include a replacement recommendation engine.
