Writes Antigone Always-Crava
Tiktok finally doesn't die, just changes hands. Teenagers in the US may have seen it as the last algorithm of freedom, but this is delivered as a prize to a combination of maga-friendly investors, Arabic capital and technological giants.
From Trump's executive mandate that "saves" the application to the court that closed every door to ByTedance, the scenario is reminiscent of House of Cards, and even with the signature of Joe Biden and a stamp of the Supreme Court.
The legal thriller
In 2024, the law was passed by the US House and Senate the Protecting American Act from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications ACT (PaFaca), which obliges "foreign opponents controlled" applications to be perpetrated by them, otherwise threatened by blocking in the US. He was signed by Joe Biden, he was his own administration that passed him and his own team that set up the legal path.
ByTedance has appealed against the law, arguing that it is hitting the first amendment (freedom of speech), but the Supreme Court ruled that the law was constitutional and set a deadline for departure by January 19, 2025. Thus Tiktok was obliged to sell or blackout. Under this law, on January 18, 2025, Tiktok temporarily stopped its services in the US, awaiting political change.
With Trump 2.0 swearing, the setting changed. The White House gave three extensions of the law implementation to ByTedance (April, June, September), giving room for negotiation. And now we arrived on December 16, 2025 as a final deadline. In the interim, the big deal was cooked.
Is the $ 14 billion deal or a sale?
The agreement presented today values the Tiktok U.S. at $ 14 billion. For a platform with over 150 million users in the US, the amount looks funny. Who is said to be the new owners? Publications talk about about 45–50% American-national consortium.
Oracle: Already responsible for Hosting Tiktok in the US, now upgraded to a real "guard" of the algorithm. Silver Lake: Private Equity that smells gold on social. MGX (UAE): Chapters by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed, the man who controls half the Abu Dhabi. ByTedance: It stays under 20%, but maintains financial rights through licenses and profits. That is, it may "not drive the car, but puts the hand in the glove with cash".
Reuters's report explains that the new situation is divided into two levels: security/algorithm (American supervision) and revenue (where byTedance remains a player). In short, Trump sells to the public a Tiktok "Americanization", while in fact the Chinese fund will continue to fill.
Maga algorithm or just crony capitalism?
Many commentators and the Washington Post are openly talking about Crony Capitalism: A deal that looks trimmed and sewn for friends of power. Critics see JD Vance pulling the yarn, Trump jumping on the type: "We will make 100% maga algorithm" and an 'all-American' narrative that breaks when the MGX appears from Abu Dhabi.
Journalist Taylor Lorenz publishes an analysis at Zeteo for Tiktok and claims that the government is in the final stages of agreement that delivers control to "Pro-Trump, Pro-Israel" billionaires. As a framework, what the international press publishes for investor composition and potential political impressions, but the names and details that directly make up a "maga-friendly" control are not yet officially documented in the documents. Whether it happens, it remains to be seen in the servers of the new Oracle Cloud.
What remains unclear or in question
The final form of the agreement has not been completed, it needs approval from China, the contracts must be completed and it is likely that some terms are changed. The separated structure (that US investors will control content, security and algorithms, while byTedance will maintain "financial rights" through licenses/dividends) is complicated and fragile in disputes or judicial challenges.
Of course, there is a risk that the platform will become even more politically directed, especially if the influence of investors linked to specific political currents is strong, and legal and regulatory obstacles may occur, especially if Congress, political opponents or defense organizations.
What does this mean for the future
For the Creators: Moderation can turn to a more "relaxed" context against far -right activism, something that changes the ecosystem.
For business: A new social trust with Oracle - Silver Lake - MGX creates precedent: This is what the new world of social looks like when the state comes in with its sword.
For Geopolitics: ByTedance still holds a wallet. China should approve the export license of the algorithm. If he doesn't? Back to Square One.
For Internet Culture: An app that was born as a music meme factory is transformed into a political influence tool and this is perhaps the most cynical example of how platforms are never "neutral".
It is certain, however, that the Tiktok we knew is over. What is coming is a national security hybrid, Crony Capitalism and political direction. If it will eventually become the "Fox News of Gen Z" or just another corporate profit washing machine, we will see it.
By popaganda
