Team Trump wants TikTok deal done — but not with Bezos’ Amazon

New York Post - Apr 3rd, 2025

The White House is pressing to sell the Chinese short-video app TikTok to a US company to prevent potential spying by China. Amazon offered to buy TikTok's entire business for around $200 billion, but the Trump administration remains skeptical, requiring regulatory approval. The administration has been working on a plan that includes selling TikTok's US operations while the app's algorithm remains under Chinese control, leased to the new US-based company. Amazon's last-minute bid is perceived as 'half-baked' and lacks the necessary backing from Trump's team.

The backdrop to this development is the complex US-China relations concerning technology and data privacy. President Trump initially sought to ban TikTok, citing security risks, yet now aims to preserve its US presence due to its large user base, which he believes aided his election win. The proposed deal would allow TikTok's parent, ByteDance, to retain a minority stake in the US entity, but the arrangement hinges on delicate negotiations with the Chinese government, which has resisted relinquishing control of the app's crucial algorithm. This highlights the intricate balance of national security concerns, economic interests, and political strategies.

White House Tik Tok Amazon Trump Administration Jeff Bezos National Security Us China Relations Data Privacy Bytedance Regulatory Approval

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

4.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article presents a timely and engaging topic with significant public interest, focusing on the potential sale of TikTok and the involvement of major players like Amazon and the Trump administration. However, the story suffers from a lack of accuracy, balance, and transparency, as it relies on unnamed sources and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claims. The informal tone and conversational style make it accessible but detract from its professionalism and clarity. While the article has the potential to provoke debate and engage readers, its impact is limited by the absence of a well-rounded and evidence-based analysis. To improve its quality, the article would benefit from more authoritative sources, a balanced presentation of perspectives, and a clearer structure.

Accuracy

The story contains several claims that are not fully supported by evidence or verifiable sources. For instance, the claim that Amazon offered to buy TikTok's entire business for up to $200 billion lacks direct attribution or confirmation from credible sources. Moreover, the assertion that the Trump administration is not keen on Amazon's involvement is presented without clear evidence or quotes from officials. The story also suggests that Trump wants to save TikTok because its user base helped him win an election, a claim that requires more substantiation. The information about China's unwillingness to sell TikTok's algorithm is a significant point, but it needs more detailed sourcing to confirm its accuracy. Overall, the article makes several bold claims but lacks sufficient evidence to ensure their accuracy.

Balance

The article appears to have a bias against the Trump administration and Amazon, as evidenced by the language used, such as referring to Jeff Bezos as 'Jeff Bozo' and suggesting a personal vendetta between Trump and Bezos. It lacks a balanced perspective by not providing viewpoints from the Trump administration, Amazon, or TikTok. The emphasis on Trump's past derogatory remarks about Bezos and the Washington Post creates an unbalanced narrative that could skew readers' perceptions. Additionally, the article does not adequately explore the perspectives of other stakeholders, such as the Chinese government or other potential buyers of TikTok, which could provide a more rounded view of the situation.

Clarity

The article is written in a conversational tone, which can make it engaging but also detracts from its clarity and professionalism. The structure is somewhat disjointed, with abrupt shifts between different topics and claims. While the language is generally clear and accessible, the lack of logical flow and coherence in presenting the information can lead to confusion. The use of informal language and rhetorical questions can also distract from the main points and reduce the overall clarity of the article.

Source quality

The article does not cite specific sources or provide direct quotes from credible individuals involved in the TikTok negotiations. It relies heavily on unnamed insiders and assumptions, which undermines the reliability of the information presented. The lack of authoritative sources or documents to back up the claims about Amazon's bid and the Trump administration's stance suggests a low level of source quality. Without clear attribution or evidence from reputable sources, the credibility of the article is significantly diminished.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its reporting, as it does not disclose the sources of its information or the methodology used to gather the claims presented. There is no explanation of how the information was obtained or whether there are any potential conflicts of interest affecting the reporting. The absence of context about the negotiations or the parties involved makes it difficult for readers to assess the validity of the claims. Additionally, the article does not clarify the basis for its assertions, leaving readers without a clear understanding of the underlying facts.