Trump teases US TikTok buyer announcement, says deal could be finalized 'in about 2 weeks'

President Donald Trump teased big news during a taped interview with Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, hinting at the sale of TikTok’s US operations. Trump also acknowledged US cyber activities targeting China in a moment that left interviewer Maria Bartiromo speechless for an instant.

During the segment, Trump stated that a buyer has been identified for the American division of TikTok, currently owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance Ltd.

“We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way,” Trump said. “It’s a group of very wealthy people.” He said that the deal may require approval from Beijing.

“I think I’ll need probably China approval and I think President Xi will probably do it,” he noted, referring to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The sale would comply with legislation passed last year mandating ByteDance divest its US assets over national security concerns. Although the law permits one presidential extension, Trump said he would allow a third, granting ByteDance 90 more days past June 19 to finalize a deal. 

Later in the interview, Trump responded to host Bartiromo’s comments about China’s aggressive cyber behavior and intellectual property theft. “You don't think we do that to them? We do,” Trump said. When Bartiromo asked if that was “how the world works,” he replied, “It’s a nasty world.”

Trump also criticized recent media leaks tied to the US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, specifically referencing outlets like CNN and The New York Times that published unconfirmed reports contradicting his account of the operation’s success.

“They should be prosecuted,” he said, accusing Democrats of leaking classified information and suggesting that the government could easily identify the sources. He further implied that his administration would pressure journalists to reveal their confidential contacts.