Chicago – September 26, 2025
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring the forced sale of TikTok’s American operations “ready,” placing the platform’s valuation at approximately $14 billion. The move comes amid ongoing concerns about data security and TikTok’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Trump, who has long criticized TikTok over potential risks to U.S. national security, said the sale would ensure American user data remains under domestic control. “This is about protecting Americans’ privacy and keeping our digital infrastructure safe,” he stated during a press briefing.
ByteDance will now be required to finalize a sale of its U.S. operations to an American buyer. Negotiations are reportedly underway with several tech firms, though no deal has yet been confirmed. Analysts suggest that the $14 billion valuation may attract interest from major players in the industry.
The order reignites a debate that began during Trump’s presidency, highlighting the struggle between Washington and Beijing over technology ownership, influence, and national security in the digital era.
