TikTok creators in the United States are feeling uncertain about the future of their content, followers and online businesses. A new deal backed by President Donald Trump is reshaping who controls the app — and possibly, how it works.
Trump on Thursday signed an executive order approving a deal to keep TikTok operational in the U.S. while placing it under majority American control. The restructuring gives U.S. investors oversight of the platform’s recommendation algorithm and cuts ByteDance, the Chinese parent company, down to a minority stake.
Users question what happens next
One of the biggest unknowns is whether current TikTok accounts — including followings, videos and monetized content — will migrate to a newly structured app. While the platform will stay active for now, it’s unclear if users will need to download a different version or if everything will transfer seamlessly.
The executive order gives TikTok and stakeholders 120 days to finalize the deal.
Some creators are already planning their exit and content strategies. Videos are circulating on the app with users announcing their exit, exploring backup plans or warning that their businesses may suffer. Others raised concerns about potential censorship, especially given the shift in who controls the feed.
“What this deal ensures is that the American entity and the American investors will actually control the algorithm,” Vice President JD Vance said Thursday. “We don’t want this used as a propaganda tool by any foreign government.”
Free speech concerns
Despite the new ownership structure, users on TikTok are wondering how fair the new algorithm will be and whether it will push political content. Some users online speculated that the feed could begin favoring pro-Trump or MAGA-aligned content.
When asked about that possibility, Trump joked, “If I could make it 100% MAGA, I would.” After some laughter, he added, “But it’s not going to work out that way. Everyone’s going to be treated fairly. Every group, every philosophy, every policy will be treated very fairly.”
Still, some experts said the algorithm may not be fully under U.S. control. A technology researcher told Barron’s that China would still need to approve any changes to the algorithm, which could open the door to residual influence from ByteDance.
What the deal says on paper
Under the agreement, TikTok’s new U.S. entity will be governed by a seven-member board, with six of those seats being held by Americans. ByteDance will hold just one seat and retain less than a 20% stake in the company.
The new entity is valued at $14 billion.
Who’s backing the deal financially
U.S.-based tech giant Oracle and investment firm Silver Lake are expected to take major stakes in the restructured company.
Other prominent investors reportedly include media and tech figures like Michael Dell and Rupert Murdoch. Speaking to reporters, NBC reported that Trump said the group includes “very well-known people, very famous people actually, financially.”
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