Amazon Makes Last-Minute Bid for TikTok [Report]

Amazon has entered the fray to acquire TikTok, submitting a last-minute bid for the popular video app as it nears a critical deadline, according to a report from The New York Times. With TikTok facing an April 5 cutoff to separate from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, or be banned in the U.S., the move underscores the intense scramble over the app's future. The details come from three sources familiar with the situation.

The bid, outlined in a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, arrives amid skepticism. Sources indicate that various parties involved in the discussions aren't taking Amazon's offer seriously. Still, it marks a notable play by the e-commerce giant as Washington wrestles with TikTok's ownership, a saga driven by bipartisan national security concerns tied to its Chinese roots.

Last year, U.S. lawmakers passed a law forcing TikTok's sale, originally set to take effect in January. President Trump, despite voicing intent to preserve the app, pushed the deadline to Saturday, April 5. He's scheduled to meet with White House officials today to weigh options, which could include a deal involving U.S. investors like Oracle and Blackstone, though it's uncertain if this would meet legal requirements.


Amazon's ties to TikTok aren't new. The app, boasting 170 million U.S. users, has become a retail hotspot where influencers often steer followers to Amazon purchases, earning commissions. TikTok also leans on Amazon for some technical infrastructure. Previously, Amazon tested its own TikTok-like feature, Inspire, within its app, but it flopped and was axed earlier this year.

Neither Amazon nor TikTok responded to requests for comment. This isn't the first time a retailer has eyed the platform; back in 2020, Microsoft and Walmart teamed up for a bid. Amazon, however, stands out as the highest-profile contender yet, joining others like billionaire Frank McCourt and Jesse Tinsley of Employer.com in the race.

For now, you can still download TikTok from the App Store at the link below...

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