DONALD Trump has claimed that he has saved TikTok after a deal was agreed that keeps the app running for around 200 million Americans.
Social media bosses were given orders to find a new American owner amid national security concerns.
A law was upheld by the Supreme Court in January 2025 that forced ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell its American division or face shutdown in the US.
More than one year after that law came into force, Trump announced a new deal.
“I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok!” he wrote on Truth Social.
“It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice.
“Along with other factors, it was responsible for my doing so well with the Youth Vote in the 2024 Presidential Election.”
Trump said he hopes people who use the popular app would remember the fact that he “saved” it.
“I only hope that long into the future I will be remembered by those who use and love TikTok.” he said.
Trump also paid tribute to vice president JD Vance and even thanked Chinese president, Xi.
“I would also like to thank President Xi, of China, for working with us and, ultimately, approving the Deal,” Trump said.
“He could have gone the other way, but didn’t, and is appreciated for his decision.”
The American owner of TikTok is a joint venture, made up of different investors including Silver Lake and Oracle.
Oracle will play a key role in data management.
The company, founded by Larry Ellison, was reported to be one of the leading contenders to buy the platform.
ByteDance will still have a 19.9% stake in the app.
TikTok exploded in popularity among young Americans in 2020 as the Covid-19 virus spread globally, forcing health officials to implement lockdown orders and encourage social distancing regulations.
However, lawmakers, former president Joe Biden, and Trump, raised concerns about the platform, citing national security issues given TikTok’s parent company ByteDance’s Chinese ownership.
The Supreme Court’s ruling came just days before Trump assumed the presidency for a second time
And, the app even went down momentarily before Trump announced that he had extended the deadline for TikTok to find a buyer.
The app’s shutdown sparked meltdown among some liberal influencers – even though it only lasted 12 hours.
Trump signed several executive orders that stopped TikTok going completely dark.
He appeared to downplay the threat the app posed.
Trump previously told Fox News star Sean Hannity that TikTok was a platform for crazy videos.
The president turned to the app as a campaigning tool during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.
He used it as a way of connecting with younger voters.
