Washington, September 25, 2025 — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has officially signed an executive order mandating the sale of TikTok’s American operations, a move that marks a decisive step in a long-running battle between the U.S. government and the popular Chinese-owned short video app.
According to Reuters, Trump signed the executive order on September 25, 2025. The order directs that TikTok’s U.S. operations must be sold to an American entity or individual. The decision follows more than a year of delays, extensions, and negotiations tied to concerns over national security and the Chinese ownership of the platform.
U.S. Vice President confirmed that under the executive order, the valuation for TikTok’s American operations has been set at around $14 billion. This figure has surprised many investors, as earlier market expectations had estimated the value of TikTok’s U.S. business between $40 and $45 billion. Critics argue that the current valuation is “unrealistically low,” raising questions about whether political considerations influenced the pricing.
In its official statement, the White House said the executive order aligns with legal requirements laid out in legislation passed in 2024. That law required TikTok either to divest its U.S. assets or face a nationwide ban. The deadline for compliance was initially set for January 19, 2025. However, as negotiations dragged on, Trump repeatedly extended the deadline, most recently on September 16, when he pushed it forward to December 16, 2025.
While the executive order makes the sale mandatory, the name of the company or investor set to acquire TikTok’s American business has not yet been officially announced. Reports suggest, however, that Oracle Corporation, which has previously expressed interest in TikTok, is likely to take over the app’s U.S. operations. If finalized, the acquisition would position Oracle as a major player in the American social media and digital content industry.
So far, the Chinese government has not issued an official response to Trump’s executive order. Analysts believe Beijing may push back strongly, especially since TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has consistently resisted U.S. pressure to sell its American operations. Observers also highlight that China views such forced divestitures as politically motivated moves aimed at curbing the global rise of its technology companies.
The controversy surrounding TikTok began in 2024, when the U.S. government declared the app a national security threat. Officials argued that TikTok could potentially allow the Chinese government access to sensitive user data, posing risks to American citizens and institutions. In response, Congress passed legislation requiring ByteDance to either divest TikTok’s U.S. assets or face an outright ban.
Since then, TikTok has been operating under a cloud of uncertainty, with users, creators, and advertisers closely watching developments. Despite the ongoing legal and political challenges, TikTok has remained immensely popular in the U.S., with millions of active users and a strong cultural footprint.
Industry experts suggest that the finalized sale, once executed, will significantly reshape the U.S. social media landscape. It could also set a precedent for how the U.S. government deals with other foreign-owned tech platforms considered potential security risks. At the same time, the low valuation of $14 billion compared to earlier projections could trigger disputes among stakeholders, investors, and regulators.
For now, Trump’s executive order signals that the U.S. is determined to bring TikTok’s operations under American control, even if it means igniting tensions with China. Whether this move strengthens U.S. national security or escalates the tech rivalry between Washington and Beijing remains to be seen.
