The White House is slated to hold a pivotal meeting on Wednesday to discuss the future of TikTok in the United States, as the April 5 deadline looms for the popular app to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a potential ban. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to consider a final proposal during the meeting, according to a White House official.
Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are reported to attend the gathering in the Oval Office. The discussions come amid rising concerns over national security and the handling of user data by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.
Private equity firm Blackstone is reportedly in talks to join ByteDance’s existing non-Chinese shareholders, including Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, by contributing fresh capital to bid for TikTok’s U.S. operations. This move could pave the way for a sale that satisfies the U.S. government’s stipulations.
On Sunday, President Trump expressed optimism that a deal would be reached before the April 5 deadline, potentially averting a ban that would affect the app’s 170 million American users. The deadline was set in January, giving TikTok time to secure a non-Chinese buyer.
Additionally, U.S. venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz is reportedly in discussions to invest in TikTok as part of an effort led by President Trump to gain control of the app. The Financial Times reported that co-founder Marc Andreessen is exploring opportunities to involve new outside investors to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. This initiative is said to be part of a bid led by Oracle and other American investors to separate the app from ByteDance.
The future of TikTok has been a topic of intense negotiation and speculation. The app, known for its short-form videos, has become a cultural phenomenon among young users in the United States and around the world. With the deadline approaching, the outcome of these high-level discussions could have significant implications for the tech industry and international business relations.
Neither TikTok nor Andreessen Horowitz immediately responded to requests for comment. As talks progress, stakeholders and millions of users await the final decision that will determine whether TikTok continues to operate in the U.S. under new ownership or faces a potential ban.
