Who actually bought TikTok in the USA?
Asked by: Prof. Timmy Lueilwitz | Last update: July 15, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (6 votes)
TikTok was not bought by a single company; instead, a $14 billion joint venture called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC was created to take over its US operations and avoid a nationwide ban.
Who is TikTok owned by now?
As of January 2026, TikTok's U.S. operations are owned by a new U.S.-majority entity called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, following a forced divestiture from Chinese parent company ByteDance. A consortium of U.S. investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, holds over 80% ownership, while ByteDance retains a 19.9% minority stake.
Who brought TikTok back to the USA?
The joint venture acquiring TikTok's US assets has been formally established and has announced its leadership team, according to the company, one day before the deadline set by President Donald Trump for the app's US assets to be spun off by Chinese parent company ByteDance.
Who is the real owner of TikTok?
Zhang Yiming (Chinese: 张一鸣; born 1 April 1983) is a Chinese Internet entrepreneur. He founded ByteDance in 2012, developed the news aggregator Toutiao and the video sharing platform Douyin (internationally known as TikTok).
Who is all buying TikTok?
TikTok has signed a deal to spin-off its U.S. operations to a group controlled by mostly American investors, including software giant Oracle, a company run by billionaire Trump ally Larry Ellison.
TikTok owner signs deal to sell US business | BBC News
Did MrBeast buy TikTok yet?
As of early 2026, MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has not bought TikTok. However, he joined a consortium of investors to make an all-cash, official bid to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations, teaming up with entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley to attempt to purchase the platform amid potential bans.
Who brought out TikTok?
TikTok's U.S. operations were recently bought by a consortium of U.S.-backed investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, with Oracle also taking over the hosting and auditing of the app's source code. The app's original creator, the Chinese tech company ByteDance, retains a minority stake of roughly 20% in the new joint venture.
Who is the CEO of TikTok now?
TikTok has a dual leadership structure. Adam Presser is the CEO of the American-owned joint venture (which manages US user data, content moderation, and algorithms), while Shou Zi Chew remains the CEO of TikTok's global business outside of the US.
Does China own TikTok in the USA?
WASHINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, on Thursday said it has finalized a deal to establish a majority American-owned joint venture that will secure U.S. data, to avoid a U.S. ban on the short video app used by over 200 million Americans.
Is TikTok still owned by China in 2026?
As of January 2026, ByteDance (China) no longer has controlling ownership of TikTok’s US operations. Following a mandated divestment, a new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, was established with majority-American ownership. ByteDance retains a minority stake (approx. 19.9%), but control has shifted to U.S. investors like Oracle and Silver Lake.
Who offered $20 billion for TikTok?
Kevin O'Leary's $20 billion TikTok offer hit the news like a blockbuster pitch – too bad it's already been shut down. O'Leary made waves suggesting that ByteDance could cash in big by selling TikTok's U.S. operations. But here's the twist: ByteDance isn't budging.
Can I still use TikTok after it's banned?
Yes, you may still be able to use TikTok if it is banned, but with limitations. If already installed, the app will likely remain functional, but it will not receive updates, leading to performance issues and eventual obsolescence. While new downloads will be blocked in app stores, users might bypass restrictions using a VPN to appear as if they are in another country.
Which US company would buy TikTok?
TikTok's owner has closed a deal to sell a portion of its US assets to a consortium of investors. Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX combined will own 45% of the new joint venture.
Why is TikTok banned in China?
TikTok is not available in mainland China because its parent company, ByteDance, operates a separate, heavily censored version for the Chinese market called Douyin. The Chinese government restricts foreign apps to control information, ensuring all content aligns with state regulations, making the international TikTok app incompatible with local censorship rules.
Who owns the majority of US TikTok?
In 2024, Congress enacted a law, mandating that TikTok's U.S. operations be separated from ByteDance. Under the new structure, about 80% of the U.S. TikTok entity is owned by non-Chinese investors, with ByteDance keeping only a 19.9% share.
Who is the true owner of TikTok?
As of January 22, 2026, TikTok US is majority-owned by a U.S.-backed investor consortium, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, following a required divestment from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, holds over 80% control, with ByteDance retaining a 19.9% minority stake.
Who are the new owners of TikTok?
The new owners will include Oracle, a tech giant co-founded by Trump ally Larry Ellison. TikTok has closed a $14 billion deal establishing a U.S. subsidiary of the platform to avoid a ban, the company said Thursday.
Is TikTok an actual Chinese company?
The Trump administration negotiated a deal to keep TikTok functional in the U.S. following a law requiring its owner to divest or face a ban. The deal follows concerns from U.S. lawmakers about the national security and privacy implications of the app's ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Who owns 80% of TikTok?
Approximately 80% of TikTok's U.S. business will be owned by American investors, including tech giant Oracle, private equity firm Silver Lake, and venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz.
Is TikTok CEO a billionaire?
Meet Zhang Yiming, The Chinese Billionaire Behind TikTok
The chairman of TikTok's parent company, the Beijing-based ByteDance, is one of China's richest people—and is only 35 years old.
Did TikTok get a new CEO?
TikTok said it officially formed a joint venture that will keep the video-sharing app operating in the U.S. Adam Presser, previously TikTok's head of operations, will be the CEO of TikTok USDS Joint Venture, while TikTok CEO Shou Chew will be a director.
Did TikTok sell to Elon Musk?
TikTok, however, denied these reports, with a spokesperson telling multiple outlets the idea of a Musk sale is “pure fiction.”
Is Shou Zi Chew a billionaire?
As of 2025, Shou Zi Chew's net worth is estimated at $200 million, a reflection of his successful roles at major tech companies and his strategic investments.
How many TikTok followers do I need to make $2000 a month?
To make $2,000 a month, you typically need 100,000 or more followers if relying solely on the TikTok Creator Rewards Program. However, with a high engagement rate and a focus on TikTok Shop affiliate marketing, you can achieve this with as few as 10,000–50,000 followers by focusing on high-conversion video content, such as posting 3–5 videos daily highlighting specific products.