Exclusive: Trump gives Microsoft 45 days to clinch TikTok deal

[demmiblue]

Source: Reuters

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump only agreed to allow Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) to negotiate the acquisition of popular short-video app TikTok if it could secure a deal in 45 days, three people familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

The move represents an about-face for Trump and prompted the U.S. tech giant to declare its interest in the blockbuster social media deal that could further inflame U.S.-China relations. Trump said on Friday he was planning to ban TikTok amid concerns that its Chinese ownership represents a national security risk because of the personal data it handles.

The proposed acquisition of TikTok, which boasts 100 millions U.S. users, would offer Microsoft a rare opportunity to become a major competitor to social media giants such as Facebook Inc (FB.O) and Snap Inc (SNAP.N). Microsoft also owns professional social media network LinkedIn.

Trump had dismissed the idea of a sale to Microsoft on Friday. But following a discussion between Trump and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, the Redwood, Washington-based company said in a statement on Sunday that it would continue negotiations to acquire TikTok from ByteDance, and that it aimed to reach a deal by Sept. 15.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tiktok-trump-exclusive/exclusive-trump-gives-microsoft-45-days-to-clinch-tiktok-deal-idUSKBN24Y0UD?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

[soothsayer]

1. Is he going to let them buy it, then outlaw it anyway?

[Squinch]

2. Once again, he has NOTHING to do with it.

[Botany]

3. Sarah Cooper lives in Trump's head

[safeinOhio]

4. The real "national security risk" to

tRump, plus millions of teens that hate him.

[TomVilmer]

5. Now it is US policy to force hostile takeovers...

[Botany]

8. Good point!

And no doubt stopping TikTok (I doubt that it will happen) will stop all
other social media sites from sharing files. No matter what Trump does
Sarah Cooper will still live in Trump's head.

[dalton99a]

13. According to the dictates of Dear Leader

[C_U_L8R]

6. More like 45 days to fill up an anonymous Cypriot bank account

What a racket.

[The Wizard]

7. Way over the

totalitarian line. He wants to be bribed.

[marble falls]

9. Actually he's given himself 45 days for lightening to strike so he doesn't look goofy ...

when he has to admit he can't shut Tik Tok down.

[Maribelle]

10. Trump is this corrupt and this stupid ...

to think most voters don't see thru his fiddling while his throne burns, our Nero-like decadent and unpopular president.

[bucolic_frolic]

11. Inked health care plan

2 weeks!

[disndat]

12. Trump is in a panic

because Tik Tok had the ability to shut down his Tulsa Rally. He must be scared of what else Tik Tok can do
to his campaign. Now he wanted TikTok banned immediately.

[Texin]

14. 45 days or what? This shitgibbon has no power over how fast an acquisition is completed.

[IcyPeas]

15. "...Donald Trump only agreed to allow Microsoft Corp.."

trump ALLOWS microsoft? who the fuck is he? who made him king. why does he get everything he fuggen demands?

pisses me off

[BadGimp]

16. He's even asking for a cut of the deal

Trump Says U.S. Should Get Slice of TikTok Sale Price
President says he told Microsoft’s Nadella that U.S. should get a cut ‘because we’re making it possible for this deal to happen’

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-says-u-s-should-get-slice-of-tiktok-sale-price-11596479818

Dear God, this man is off his rocker...