In a surprise twist, Amazon ($AMZN) has submitted a last-minute bid to acquire TikTok’s U.S. business, just days before President Trump’s April 6 deadline to force the app’s sale or ban it outright.
The bid was disclosed by The New York Times, citing three people familiar with the matter.
The offer reportedly went straight to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the key officials shaping TikTok’s fate. So far, insiders say the offer isn’t being taken seriously — but its timing is impossible to ignore.
What’s at Stake
- TikTok has 170M U.S. users, many of them under 30
- Trump has made banning TikTok or forcing a U.S. buyout a top tech policy priority
- ByteDance faces a strict deadline to sell or restructure its U.S. assets by Saturday
If no deal closes by then, a ban could be triggered, escalating tensions with China and putting massive pressure on U.S. tech players.
Why Amazon?
This is Amazon’s first known attempt to enter the social video space via acquisition.
- TikTok’s U.S. market reach = unmatched
- Amazon has streaming (Twitch, Prime Video), but not youth video dominance
- TikTok could be a retail + ad data engine inside Amazon’s ecosystem
Still, analysts note Amazon’s move may be symbolic or strategic — aiming to curry political favor or position itself for future M&A.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just a business story — it’s a geopolitical power play.
- A TikTok ban could ignite another U.S.-China tech cold war flashpoint
- Any U.S. buyer would face regulatory hurdles, integration challenges, and data firewall demands
- Trump allies view a U.S.-controlled TikTok as a way to “protect American minds and markets”
Amazon’s bid may not close — but it confirms how high the stakes are. TikTok is now the most politically explosive app on earth, and who controls it may shape tech, media, and elections.
A decision is expected within 72 hours.
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