US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order outlining a new deal for TikTok that would hand control of the popular video-sharing platform to his political allies.The order, which revives Trump’s long-standing push to restrict foreign ownership of the app, paves the way for a US-based version of TikTok. Under the proposed arrangement, management of the platform would shift to individuals and firms aligned with the president, effectively bringing its operations under his circle of influence.
Trump has repeatedly cited national security concerns over TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, accusing it of sharing data with Beijing — a claim the company has denied. The latest move marks a dramatic step toward restructuring TikTok’s ownership in line with Trump’s demands.Details of the deal, including which allies or companies will assume control, have not yet been disclosed.
However, analysts say the order is likely to fuel both legal and political challenges, as critics argue it represents an unprecedented politicization of a private tech platform.The announcement is expected to intensify debate in Washington over technology, free speech, and government control ahead of the 2026 US presidential race.