JD Vance has taken the reins on the potential sale of TikTok in his first major endeavor as vice president.
President Donald Trump has assigned Vance and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz to lead the efforts in securing a deal to save TikTok, as reported from Capitol Hill.
The Trump administration is tasked with saving the beloved platform after it was nearly shut down last month.
Waltz and the National Security Council will oversee the national security aspect of the mission, according to Punch Bowl News.
Vance and Waltz will decide who ends up owning TikTok if it gets sold.
If the app’s owner, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the app, then the US ban on the app will go back into effect in April due to national security concerns.
The NSC advises the president on national security and foreign policy issues.
The primary national security worries of the US government regarding the China-owned app involve its potential to influence US politics and gather personal data from American users.
Vance and Waltz will be in charge of quickly making a deal that addresses the security concerns.
The vice president, a former venture capitalist, faces intense pressure on the sensitive mission.
If the Trump administration proceeds with measures to remove the app from the 170 million TikTok users and businesses reliant on the platform, it may face significant criticism.
Americans got a taste of the US ban for less than 24 hours last month in a dramatic move that left TikTok influencers in tears.
The app was shut down for its millions of American users before Trump issued an executive order to extend TikTok’s life by another 75 days.
“As of today, TikTok is back,” Trump declared at a rally in Washington DC the day before his inauguration.
“I said, I’ll approve, but let the United States of America own 50% of TikTok.
“I’m approving on behalf of the United States. So they’ll have a partner, the United States, and they’ll have a lot of bidders. And the United States will do what we call a joint venture.”
When TikTok came back online, it shared a message crediting Trump for reinstating the platform.
“Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support,” the app’s message read.
“As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US!”
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The Trump administration has already tossed around a few ideas for the app’s future as potential buyers circle the $50-billion platform.
Tesla CEO and Trump ally Elon Musk reportedly expressed interest in buying the app, and Trump said he’d be open to the idea.
Billionaire Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his business partner has also thrown his name in the running with his business partner, Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary.
Trump’s extension on the TikTok ban will end on April 5.
