A NEW ERA OF DIGITAL CONFIDENCE: THE TIKTOK DEAL THAT SIGNALS BOLD LEADERSHIP AND UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM
THE PRESS CENTER | THE MORSE CODE | TECHNOLOGY
SEPT. 28 2025
President Donald Trump has taken a decisive step forward by signing an executive order that advances the long‑anticipated sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to a coalition of predominantly American investors. This action marks a powerful milestone—one that reinforces the nation’s commitment to digital security, economic strength, and technological independence. Although the deal is not yet finalized, this order sets the stage for the remaining regulatory approvals required from both the United States and China. The message is clear: progress is happening, and the momentum is real.
During the signing, Trump emphasized that Chinese President Xi Jinping personally signaled support for the transaction during a recent phone call. According to Trump, “We talked about TikTok, and he gave us the go‑ahead.” While Beijing has not yet issued a public confirmation, Chinese officials recently acknowledged reaching a “basic framework consensus” during trade discussions in Madrid—an encouraging indicator that both sides are moving toward alignment.
The executive order also confirms that the proposed sale meets the requirements of last year’s bipartisan law mandating that ByteDance divest at least 80% of its U.S. assets to non‑Chinese entities. Although enforcement of the law has been delayed several times, the White House plans to extend the pause by an additional 120 days. This extension ensures regulators have the time needed to complete a thorough review and finalize all documentation—an essential step toward a transparent and stable outcome.
Under the current proposal, the deal covers TikTok’s U.S. operations, a licensed copy of its algorithm, and potentially additional ByteDance platforms such as Lemon8 and CapCut. ByteDance would retain no more than a 20% stake, ensuring that control firmly shifts to American leadership.
The new joint venture will be majority‑owned and governed by U.S. investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, Dell CEO Michael Dell, and Fox Corp. chairman Lachlan Murdoch. Oracle will take the lead on data privacy and algorithm oversight—two areas central to restoring user trust and strengthening national security.
Because China maintains export controls on TikTok’s algorithm, ByteDance may license the technology to the U.S. venture pending approval from Chinese regulators. This step is crucial for ensuring continuity of the user experience while meeting international legal requirements.
Vice President JD Vance, who spearheaded negotiations, announced that the joint venture is expected to be valued at approximately $14 billion. Earlier estimates ranged widely—from $20 billion to $100 billion—depending on the level of algorithm access included. Vance emphasized the purpose behind the deal: “This ensures Americans can continue using TikTok with greater confidence in their data security. It’s about protecting national interests while preserving user experience.”
Even with this progress, several practical questions remain. Will users eventually need to download a separate U.S. version of TikTok? How will investor oversight—especially from individuals aligned with Trump—shape content moderation policies? Trump addressed these concerns directly, stating, “Everyone will be treated fairly.” Vance reinforced this commitment, noting that content decisions should be driven by business needs and user interests, not political agendas.
Analysts suggest that China may be using TikTok—a relatively low‑priority issue in broader trade negotiations but highly valued by Trump and millions of American users—as leverage to secure concessions in other areas. Regardless, the forward movement on this deal signals determination, strategic clarity, and a willingness to navigate complex global dynamics with confidence.
This development also opens the door for a potential in‑person meeting between Trump and Xi at next month’s APEC Summit in South Korea, following their recent phone conversation. Such a meeting could further accelerate progress and solidify the path ahead.
This updated report reflects the latest developments and provides a clear, comprehensive understanding of where the TikTok deal stands—and where it’s headed next.
SOURCE CREDIT: https://www.cnn.com/
