Trump Signs Order to Transfer TikTok to U.S. Investors

Table of Contents

TL;DR: Trump signs order to transfer TikTok to investors

  • President Trump signed an executive order to transfer TikTok to U.S. investors.
  • TikTok’s U.S. operation will be valued at approximately $14 billion.
  • Oracle, Larry Ellison, and Rupert Murdoch are some of the key investors in the new TikTok.
  • The new TikTok is expected to control its recommendation algorithm, which could affect the user experience.
  • The transfer seeks to address concerns about data privacy and foreign influence.

Introduction to the TikTok deal

On September 25, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that allows the transfer of TikTok’s operation in the United States to a group of U.S. investors. This move comes amid concerns about data security and the influence of the Chinese government through its parent company, ByteDance. The order aims to ensure that TikTok continues operating in the country, avoiding a ban.

Details of the ownership deal

Key investors in the new TikTok

Among the prominent investors in the new TikTok are Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, and Rupert Murdoch, media mogul. Trump mentioned that the investor group includes “four or five” prominent figures from the technology and financial sectors, although the full list will be revealed in the coming days.

Valuation and ownership structure

TikTok’s U.S. operation will be valued at approximately $14 billion, a figure considerably lower than ByteDance’s valuation, which is estimated at $330 billion. U.S. investors are expected to own around 65% of the new entity, while ByteDance and other Chinese investors will retain less than 20%.

Implications for data privacy

Data control by U.S. investors

The new ownership structure will allow U.S. investors to control TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, which could reduce concerns about data access by the Chinese government. According to Vice President JD Vance, “we don’t want this to be used as a propaganda tool by any foreign government”.

Concerns about government surveillance

Despite the transfer to U.S. investors, concerns persist

ations about U.S. government surveillance and how it could influence the content available on the platform. The close relationship of some investors with the Trump administration has raised concerns about possible content censorship.

Impact on the user experience

Changes to the recommendation algorithm

Control of the algorithm by U.S. investors could result in significant changes in how TikTok users experience the platform. The nature of the algorithm, which prioritizes content over personal connections, means that users could see different content than users in other parts of the world.

Differences in available content

Although it has been stated that the content posted on the platform will be the same, changes to the algorithm could lead U.S. users to see a different type of content. Trump hinted that he would like the algorithm to favor content related to his political movement, although he assured that “every group will be treated fairly”.

Conclusions and the future of TikTok in the U.S.

Trump’s signing of the executive order marks a new chapter in TikTok’s history in the United States. As the platform prepares to be controlled by U.S. investors, the implications for data privacy and the user experience are significant. The transition to a new ownership model raises questions about TikTok’s future in an ever-changing political environment.