Amazon makes last-minute bid for TikTok: report

Group 1 - Amazon has made a last-minute bid to acquire TikTok, which is facing a potential ban in the US if not sold by its Chinese owner, ByteDance [1][2] - The bid was communicated in a letter to officials involved in the sale discussions, aimed at addressing US national security concerns [1] - President Trump has expressed confidence in finding a buyer for TikTok's US operations by the upcoming deadline, despite downplaying the risks of a ban [2][5] Group 2 - The most likely resolution involves existing US investors in ByteDance rolling over their stakes into a new independent global TikTok company, with additional US investors like Oracle and Blackstone joining to reduce Chinese ownership [3] - TikTok has over 170 million users in the US and is under threat from a law requiring it to separate from ByteDance or face a ban [4] - The deadline for TikTok to be sold is set for April 5, 2025, with potential extensions from President Trump if a deal is not finalized [5][6] Group 3 - Trump's administration may offer to reduce tariffs on China to facilitate Beijing's approval for the sale of TikTok [6] - Trump has shifted from supporting a ban to defending TikTok, recognizing its popularity among younger voters [7] - Other bidders for TikTok include Frank McCourt's Project Liberty initiative, AI startup Perplexity, and internet personality MrBeast [7]