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President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is likely to extend the deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations of the popular video app TikTok, citing political and diplomatic considerations.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump reaffirmed comments he made in May suggesting he would push back the June 19 deadline. The president previously acknowledged that TikTok played a role in boosting his support among young voters during the 2024 election.
“Probably, yeah,” Trump said when asked whether he would grant more time for the divestiture, according to Reuters.
“Probably have to get China approval but I think we’ll get it. I think President Xi will ultimately approve it,” he added.
The comments reflect ongoing negotiations over TikTok’s future in the United States, as the Trump administration balances national security concerns with political and trade considerations. The app, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, has faced scrutiny over user data privacy and alleged ties to the Chinese government.
The administration had previously demanded ByteDance sell its U.S. assets or face a potential ban. While multiple companies have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s American operations, no final agreement has been reached.
RSBN previously reported the president’s plans to extend the deadline following his May interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with Kristen Welker from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
“I’d like to see it done. I have a little sweet spot in my heart because, as you know, I won young people by 36 points. That’s a lot. No Republican ever won young people, and I won it by 36 points, and I focused on TikTok,” Trump stated.
“So perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I have a little warm spot in my heart for TikTok. TikTok is — it’s very interesting, but it’ll be protected. It’ll be very strongly protected. But if it needs an extension, I would be willing to give it an extension, might not need it,” Trump continued.
The president also provided an update on the plans for a deal that would allow U.S. investors to purchase the U.S. portion of TikTok.
“[We] actually have a deal. We have a group of purchasers, very substantial people. They’re going to pay a lot of money. It’s a good thing for us. It’s a good thing for China. It’s going to be, I think, very good,” he said.
“But because of the fact that I’ve essentially cut off China right now with the tariffs that are so high that they’re not going to be able to do much business with the United States. But if we make a deal with China I’m sure that’ll be a subject, and it’ll be a very easy subject to solve,” the president added.
