Trump signs executive order supporting US-led TikTok takeover

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday supporting a proposed US-led acquisition of TikTok, aiming to address national security concerns.

The deal would give American investors, including Oracle and Silver Lake Partners, roughly 80% ownership of the platform, while China’s ByteDance retains less than 20% and a single board seat excluded from security decisions.

A licensed version of TikTok’s algorithm will be retrained solely with US data, ensuring control over content moderation and protecting against foreign interference.

Trump noted that young Americans “really wanted this to happen,” reflecting TikTok’s major role as a news source for users under 30.

Analysts warn that changes to the algorithm may subtly affect user experience, though the platform is expected to remain largely familiar.

Experts suggest China’s approval of the deal reflects broader tech and trade priorities, as TikTok holds less strategic weight compared with US-China competition in AI, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.