JD Vance speaking at a podium.
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JD Vance has taken the reins on the potential sale of TikTok in his first major endeavor as vice president.

President Donald Trump has put Vance and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz in charge of “quarterbacking a deal to save TikTok,” according to reports from Capitol Hill.

JD Vance speaking at a podium.

Vice President JD Vance speaks at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington on February 5, 2025Credit: AP
President Donald Trump sitting at his desk in the Oval Office.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on February 4, 2025Credit: AP
Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla. speaking.

National Security Adviser Michael Waltz outside of Donald Trump’s hush money criminal case trial in New York on May 16, 2024Credit: AP

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 US government’s main national security concerns with the China-owned app are that the platform could be used to sway US politics and collect personal information from Americans.

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.

His next move could cause backlash for the Trump administration if it takes the app away again from 170 million TikTok users as well as companies that use the app for business.

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.

Trump downplays fears China using TikTok to spy on Americans as he says app is for ‘crazy videos’ after halting ban

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!”

NEXT MOVES

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.

TikTok logo on a phone screen.

TikTok’s life was extended for 90 days after its short-lived ban last month (stock image)Credit: AP
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