Amazon’s Surprise TikTok Bid: A Last-Minute Play for the Video Sensation
Amazon has reportedly placed an eleventh-hour offer to buy TikTok in the United States, adding a new twist to the video app’s looming April deadline. Officials in Washington say they’re skeptical about the bid’s seriousness, but it underscores the intensifying interest in controlling one of the world’s hottest social media platforms. TikTok has maintained it’s not interested in a sale and is working to navigate legal threats while seeking American investors.
The e-commerce giant brings more than deep pockets to the table. Influencers already use TikTok to promote thousands of Amazon products, driving big sales through affiliate links. Amazon once tried to clone TikTok’s vibe with its own short-form platform, so acquiring the real thing could turbocharge its efforts in social commerce—even if critics doubt it’ll surpass more established contenders like Oracle or Blackstone in securing a takeover deal.
Meanwhile, time is short. President Trump set an April deadline for TikTok to reorganize its ownership or risk a U.S. ban, citing national security concerns. China’s government might still veto any formal sale, complicating Amazon’s late arrival. For now, the swirl of proposals—ranging from established tech players to surprise names—keeps the spotlight on TikTok as it grapples with high-stakes negotiations and mounting regulatory scrutiny.
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