TikTok Battles for Survival in U.S. Supreme Court Over Free Speech and National Security Concerns

- Part 2

TikTok Faces Deadline to Secure Buyer Amid Ongoing U.S. Legal Battle

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in TikTok, Inc. v. Merrick B. Garland, a case that examines whether the government's legislation mandating ByteDance's divestiture of TikTok violates First Amendment protections. While the case raises concerns about free speech and national security, the platform now faces a separate but related challenge: a fast-approaching deadline to secure new ownership or face a potential U.S. ban.

TikTok has until April 5 to find a buyer, and President Donald Trump has indicated that at least four groups are actively vying for control. The platform, which came under scrutiny due to security concerns related to its Chinese ownership, must finalize a sale following the U.S. government's passage of a sell-or-ban law last year.

According to Reuters, Trump recently confirmed ongoing discussions with potential buyers, stating, "We're dealing with four different groups. A lot of people want it… all four are good.” Although Trump did not specify which companies are in the running, speculation has pointed to major entities such as Oracle, Microsoft, YouTuber Mr. Beast, Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary, and Project Liberty, a group spearheaded by former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Even the U.S. government has been rumored to have an interest in the platform's future.

TikTok was formally banned in the U.S. on January 19, though the ban lasted only 12 hours before an executive order extended the deadline by 75 days to allow more time for a sale. During this period, TikTok was briefly removed from major app stores but was later reinstated after assurances from Trump to Apple and Google that they would not face penalties for keeping the app available.

Despite ongoing legal battles and political uncertainty, TikTok remains one of the most popular apps in the U.S., with approximately half of the country's population actively using the platform. Its cultural influence remains significant, driving major trends and even reviving niche music genres like ska, which had not seen mainstream popularity in decades.

For the past five years, the U.S. government has repeatedly postponed decisive action on TikTok. However, with mounting pressure and heightened interest in its acquisition, a resolution may finally be imminent. Trump emphasized the importance of China's role in the deal, stating, "We have a lot of interest in TikTok, and China is going to play a role. Hopefully, China will approve of the deal."

With the April 5 deadline fast approaching, TikTok's future in the U.S. hangs in the balance, awaiting a definitive resolution to its ownership battle.