As the clock ticks down to the U.S. government’s April 5 deadline to potentially ban TikTok, Amazon has made a late-stage attempt to acquire the platform. According to a report by The Information, President Donald Trump’s administration is pushing for a new entity called “TikTok America,” with a structure that would see U.S. companies owning 50% of the app, while Chinese parent company ByteDance would retain a minority stake of 19.9%. This move follows an earlier deadline extension, and comes amid intensifying concerns over TikTok’s security risks.
Amazon’s bid was submitted just days before the ban could go into effect, and while it saw Amazon’s shares rise by around 2%, it remains uncertain whether the timing will be favorable. The company had previously eyed TikTok’s e-commerce capabilities, particularly through the TikTok Shop, which posed growing competition to Amazon’s dominant position in the retail space.
In addition to Amazon, a consortium led by Tim Stokley, the founder of OnlyFans, has also entered the fray, signaling increasing interest from other tech players in acquiring TikTok’s assets. Stokley’s group, which includes high-profile backers, is positioning itself as a potential buyer to ensure TikTok’s survival in the U.S. market.
This renewed acquisition race is part of ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to address national security concerns related to TikTok, which it has accused of potentially sharing user data with the Chinese government. The deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a U.S. ban was initially set for January 18, but was extended after President Trump opted not to shut the app down immediately, admitting that he had “gotten used to it.”
As the deadline looms, these bids reflect the growing competition for one of the world’s most valuable apps, with major players hoping to seize its massive user base and advertising potential. The outcome remains uncertain, but TikTok’s future in the U.S. may very well depend on whether ByteDance can strike a deal with a U.S.-based company before time runs out.
