Trump hands TikTok to U.S. investors at rock-bottom price, and the deal is being dressed up as a national security victory. A platform that was once valued at over $30 billion has now been marked down to just $14 billion, less than half the estimates given by analysts only months ago. That isn’t a win, it’s a bargain giveaway to a handful of billionaires who just happen to stand close to Trump.
The Politics Behind the Deal
For Trump, TikTok has always been more than an app. It is both a political weapon and a stage. With over 170 million American users and 15 million following his personal account, TikTok gives him direct access to a young, restless audience. By forcing a sale and keeping the platform alive under U.S. ownership, Trump secures both his political relevance and his claim that he alone can “protect American data.” But if you strip away the sentiment, the bigger winners are the investors lined up to scoop TikTok for cheap.
The Billionaire Friends Cashing In
This is where the story turns ugly. The names floated around the deal aren’t random. Michael Dell, Rupert Murdoch, Oracle, Silver Lake, all powerful, all politically connected. By valuing TikTok at $14 billion, Trump has effectively handed them a once-in-a-generation tech asset at a clearance price.
China Still in the Shadows
Despite all the White House fanfare, the deal doesn’t fully cut China out. Reports in Chinese media suggest ByteDance will still set up a new U.S. company and remain tied to revenue streams and operations. Even if ByteDance officially holds less than 20%, control is never only about shares; it’s about algorithms, data, and influence. Trump may have signed an order, but the real question is whether the Chinese side has truly let go or whether this is just a restructuring that makes it look American while keeping hidden strings attached.
How does an app worth over $30 billion suddenly drop to $14 billion under U.S. The White House has not explained its numbers, and nobody seems willing to admit how they got there. By setting the value so low, Trump ensures that his chosen circle of investors can enter the deal without breaking a sweat. If anything, it looks less like a tough negotiation with China and more like a sweetheart deal for his allies.
A Deal That Changes Nothing but Ownership
When you peel back the layers, this is what remains: Trump hands TikTok to U.S. investors at rock-bottom price, and the American public is told to clap for a victory. Yet the app will look the same, the algorithm may still be tied to China, and the only visible change will be the billionaires smiling behind closed doors. The coronation of investors is complete, and the cost was billions shaved off TikTok’s value.
