Amazon Buys TikTok? Shock Bid Rattles D.C. Before Deadline

WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES - MARCH 22: U.S. representative for New York's 16th congressional district Jamaal Bowman participates as TikTok content creators gather outside the Capitol to voice their opposition to a potential ban on the app, highlighting the platform's impact on their livelihoods and communities in Washington DC, United States on March 22, 2023. Bowman emphasized the platform's role in promoting free speech and fostering community. (Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Amazon just shook up the TikTok drama. The e-commerce giant reportedly submitted a surprise offer to buy the viral video app from Chinese parent company ByteDance—just days before the Saturday deadline set by President Trump.

Sources told the New York Times that Amazon submitted a formal proposal to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The move came as Washington scrambles to finalize who, if anyone, will take control of TikTok’s U.S. operations.

Insiders Shrug Off Amazon’s Surprise Move

Despite the bold timing, insiders claim the bid isn’t being taken seriously. Major players in the deal, according to the Times, barely reacted to Amazon’s entry. Still, the mere presence of Jeff Bezos’ company adds new fuel to the firestorm.

The offer’s price tag remains unknown. Amazon, the White House, and TikTok all declined to comment. But a source familiar with the process confirmed to The Post that Amazon did submit a bid.

TikTok Deal Talks Heat Up at the White House

Amazon’s move dropped hours before Trump planned to meet with top advisers. His team is weighing a separate offer from TikTok’s existing U.S. investors to take majority control. National security adviser Mike Waltz and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are expected to attend the Oval Office meeting.

Also at the table: JD Vance and Howard Lutnick, the two officials who received Amazon’s proposal.

Trump has until Saturday to approve a buyer or extend his executive order again. The law bans TikTok unless ByteDance gives up all Chinese ownership. So far, no one knows if any proposal actually clears that legal bar.

Bezos and Trump—A Shaky Alliance

Bezos once clashed with Trump. But sources say they’ve grown closer since Trump’s 2024 victory. Bezos even attended Trump’s inauguration, joining other tech giants who now orbit the White House.

That renewed relationship may have helped open the door for Amazon’s last-minute offer.

The Numbers Are Huge—and So Are the Stakes

TikTok has over 170 million U.S. users. Lawmakers in both parties call it a national security threat. They want Chinese control out—for good.

Any deal will likely cost at least $40 billion. And that figure could rise if venture firms keep piling in. Firms like Andreessen Horowitz and Blackstone have reportedly been approached to help buy out ByteDance’s Chinese stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Oracle—TikTok’s current cloud host—could take a bigger role. Their job? Safeguard TikTok’s algorithm and protect U.S. user data.

Existing Investors Fight for Control

Four major firms—KKR, Coatue, General Atlantic, and Susquehanna—already own shares in ByteDance. They want more. Their plan involves spinning off TikTok into a new U.S.-run company.

They’re hoping their deeper involvement will calm lawmakers. But some in Congress, including Senator Tom Cotton, say nothing short of full Chinese divestment will satisfy security concerns.

Trump has hinted at offering tariff breaks to China if the TikTok deal goes through. That could entice Beijing to sign off. Chinese officials, once firmly opposed to any sale, now appear less aggressive.

Amazon Buys TikTok? Still A Big Maybe

No one knows if Amazon’s bid is real or just a headline grab. But it adds chaos to an already high-stakes situation. The clock is ticking.

Trump has power to delay the deadline. But time is running out. The deal has to meet U.S. demands and get China’s blessing. At this point, it’s unclear whether either side is ready to sign.

Bottom Line

The “Amazon buys TikTok” headline shocked Washington. Whether it’s serious or strategic, the move complicates the final days of this high-profile tech fight. Now, all eyes are on Trump to decide who wins control of the app that’s taken over America’s screens.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.