The clock is ticking for TikTok. In just three days, the social media app will either find a new American owner or face a ban in the US. Amidst the uncertainty, a surprising player has thrown its hat into the ring: Amazon. According to The New York Times, Amazon has made a bid to acquire TikTok.
This move comes after the Trump administration gave TikTok a 75-day extension to find a new owner or risk being banned. The app has been under fire from both Democrats and Republicans, who claim it poses a risk to national security. A law was even passed to ban the app starting January 2025, but Trump delayed it until this Saturday.
Amazon’s offer, however, hasn’t been taken seriously by TikTok. The proposal wasn’t made by a top executive, and the company is likely waiting for a more formal bid. But Amazon isn’t the only one interested.
Other Suitors
Other tech giants like Microsoft, Blackstone, and Oracle are also eyeing the popular app. Meanwhile, a startup called Zoop, founded by Tim Stokely, the creator of OnlyFans, has partnered with a cryptocurrency foundation to make a last-minute bid. The US Supreme Court even upheld a law that could force TikTok to suspend its operations in the country if it doesn’t cut ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
The fate of TikTok has been a political hot potato. Donald Trump had promised to save the app, despite security concerns, and even gave it a 90-day extension to find a new owner. In March, his team revealed that they were in talks with four different groups to sell the platform, but no names were disclosed.
As the deadline looms, one thing is clear: TikTok’s future in the US hangs in the balance. Will Amazon’s bid be taken seriously, or will another suitor swoop in to save the day? Only time will tell.