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BREAKING (thread): @Microsoft $MSFT deal for @tiktok_us (or any sale to a US co) faces tremendous hurdles from @WhiteHouse this weekend, sources tell @FoxBusiness. Deal is totally dependent on what type of order @realDonaldTrump issues on its Beijing-based parent @BytedanceTalk.
Bankers briefed on the matter say the chances of a Microsoft deal are not dead but fading amid the White House debate and there are around three types of orders Trump could issue that either totally kills any sale OR allow parties to proceed w a deal and then plead their
case to the administration that the sale to Microsoft or any US co doesnt present a national security risk. Sources say Trump is weighing his options right now and will likely have an answer by Monday,but as in all things Trump related, its all fluid and depends on what mood
he's in. White House intrigue is why TikTok is now saying its ready to give up total control to any US suitor (it first wanted to retain some Chinese ownership). TikTok is literally staring at a death sentence in the US & billions of dollars in losses if shut down. One solution
would be for Trump to invoke an action by Committee on Foreign Investment or CFIUS. That would force a divestiture of TikTok US but allow a US co to buy it if it clears national securities concerns. BUT Trump can go more draconian. He can place Bytedance on the so-called foreign
entities list, making it nearly impossible for US co to buy TikToc. He could also issue an order starts a a longer process of government review of any acquisition of TikToc. $MSFT discussions w TikTok have been going on for a month so theyre interested but this is no done deal.
