Trump Signs Executive Order to Shift TikTok to U.S. Control/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump signed an executive order backing a U.S. investor takeover of TikTok, aiming to resolve national security concerns. The deal would give American investors 80% control while limiting China’s ByteDance to a minor stake. TikTok’s powerful algorithm will be retrained on U.S. data to prevent Chinese influence.
TikTok Deal Quick Looks
- Executive Order Signed: Trump formally backs a U.S.-led group to acquire TikTok.
- Ownership Split: American investors (Oracle, Silver Lake, others) expected to hold ~80% stake; ByteDance capped below 20%.
- National Security Concerns: U.S. fears Chinese manipulation of TikTok’s algorithm and data access.
- Algorithm Control: A retrained, U.S.-licensed copy of TikTok’s recommendation system will power the app.
- Youth Impact: 43% of Americans under 30 use TikTok for news (Pew Research).
- China’s Shift: Beijing, once opposed, softened to protect wider U.S.-China trade ties.
- Next Steps: Negotiations must conclude within 120 days, pending China’s final approval.
Deep Look: Trump Moves TikTok Toward U.S. Control Amid Security Debate
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order designed to shift TikTok into U.S. ownership, addressing long-standing security concerns while keeping the platform accessible to millions of American users.
The order supports an American-led takeover of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. While still subject to final negotiations and Chinese approval, the deal reflects one of Trump’s most aggressive efforts to merge trade policy with digital security concerns.
The Structure of the Deal
Under the terms unveiled by the White House:
- TikTok will become a new U.S.-based joint venture.
- U.S. investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake Partners, Rupert Murdoch, and Michael Dell, will hold a controlling 80% stake.
- ByteDance’s ownership will be capped at less than 20%, and its board representation limited to non-security matters.
Critics note that Trump’s close allies and donors are deeply tied to the consortium, raising questions over whether the platform could face political influence in content moderation and news distribution.
Who Controls the Algorithm?
The algorithm powering TikTok’s addictive video feed has been at the heart of the debate.
- China once insisted it must remain under its jurisdiction.
- U.S. law, however, requires full severance of ByteDance’s algorithm from American operations.
- Trump’s order specifies that a U.S.-licensed copy of the algorithm, retrained solely with U.S. data, will power the app.
Administration officials argue this prevents Chinese interference, though it remains unclear if users will notice changes in their feeds.
“Social media is just as much about culture as technology,” said Jasmine Enberg of eMarketer. “The impact of new ownership will depend on whether U.S. users feel the app is still the same TikTok they trust.”
Political Implications
Asked whether he wanted TikTok to promote his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, Trump joked he’d make it “100% MAGA” if possible but insisted all political views would be represented fairly.
Vice President JD Vance stressed that the new ownership structure ensures “American investors will actually control the algorithm.”
Civil liberties advocates, however, warn that editorial influence could shift. David Greene of the Electronic Frontier Foundation noted:
“The question is not whether it will be 100% MAGA. It’s whether criticism of Trump and his allies will be treated fairly.”
China’s Motivation
Beijing, once calling the U.S. demand to divest TikTok an act of “robbery,” has softened its stance. Analysts suggest China sees TikTok as less strategically important than retaining access to semiconductors, AI, and advanced U.S. tech markets.
“TikTok is a maturing consumer app,” said Dimitar Gueorguiev of Syracuse University. “China is prioritizing longer-term battles in technology competition.”
The Bigger Picture
The deal highlights the role of social media in geopolitical rivalries.
- With 43% of U.S. adults under 30 using TikTok for news, its ownership carries cultural and political influence.
- The executive order gives negotiators 120 more days to finalize terms.
- If completed, TikTok’s U.S. operations would be under American control for the first time since its 2017 launch.
For Trump, the agreement not only addresses national security risks but also aligns with his broader “America First” trade and tech policies.
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