Unpacking the Deal of the Century [WATCH]

House China Committee Chairman John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) has expressed confidence in President-elect Donald Trump’s ability to broker what he called the “deal of the century” regarding TikTok’s future in the United States.

Moolenaar’s comments come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments on a law requiring the Chinese-owned social media platform to divest from its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance.

The Supreme Court has scheduled a special session on January 10, 2025, to consider the law mandating ByteDance to sell TikTok by January 19.

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If the divestment does not occur by the deadline, U.S. app stores like those operated by Google and Apple would no longer be allowed to feature TikTok.

The legislation, signed into law earlier this year, also grants the president authority to extend the deadline by up to 90 days if ByteDance demonstrates progress toward divestment.

TikTok and ByteDance have challenged the law, filing an emergency application to the Supreme Court to block its enforcement.

The company argues that the legislation violates the First Amendment, claiming it unfairly targets TikTok as a major speech platform.

TikTok also points to its “Project Texas” initiative, a $1.5 billion effort to isolate U.S. user data on Oracle’s servers and address national security concerns.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Moolenaar emphasized his belief that Trump is uniquely qualified to handle the negotiations. “It will be the deal of the century,” Moolenaar said.

“President Trump is the perfect leader to negotiate and deliver this win because of the leverage of the TikTok legislation passed by Congress.”

Moolenaar suggested that the divestment process could unfold in phases, beginning with a buyout and culminating in a massive initial public offering (IPO). “This could be the largest IPO in history,” he added.

The Michigan congressman also criticized ByteDance for “dragging their feet” on compliance. “Once they realize they’re required to follow U.S. law, I believe this will move forward fairly quickly,” Moolenaar said.

Moolenaar reiterated concerns about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), accusing the platform of giving the CCP potential access to Americans’ data and the ability to manipulate perceptions in the U.S. “It is very profitable, very popular, and it is a major inroad for the CCP to influence American culture,” he said.

Despite TikTok’s claims that its “Project Texas” initiative safeguards U.S. user data, Moolenaar dismissed the effort as insufficient. “When you consider that ByteDance is affiliated with the CCP, there needs to be a divestment,” he stated.

“We need to know that either an American company or a company affiliated with like-minded nations, not adversarial nations, is in charge of this app.”

Trump himself has shown openness to TikTok’s continued presence in the U.S., meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” Trump told reporters during a press conference ahead of the meeting, adding that his incoming administration would “take a look at TikTok” and the impending ban.

Trump AGAIN hints that he’s going to save TikTok in front of a very happy TPUSA crowd in Phoenix:

“Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around a little while.” pic.twitter.com/PzYk6s99Mx

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) December 23, 2024

Moolenaar acknowledged the complexities of the negotiations but highlighted Trump’s expertise in dealing with the CCP. “President Trump knows from experience that the only language the CCP speaks is hardball,” he said.

“He is an incredible negotiator, and our legislation is giving him the leverage he needs to make this historic deal.”

The Supreme Court’s decision, expected soon after the January 10 oral arguments, will play a critical role in determining TikTok’s future in the U.S.

If the divestment mandate is upheld, ByteDance will face significant pressure to comply swiftly, paving the way for what could be a landmark agreement under Trump’s leadership.

TRUMP: “We got the highest vote ever for a Republican with young people. My son, Barron, said ‘Dad you got to talk to this one that one,’ he likes Joe Rogan a lot. He said Dad you got to do an interview. He’s a feel for young people. I might have to start thinking about TikTok” pic.twitter.com/ixwNw0sVIQ

— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) December 22, 2024

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