Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary has announced his collaboration with former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt in a high-stakes attempt to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. This partnership arises as pressures mount from a new regulation that demands TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, divest its U.S. assets or face a nationwide ban due to national security concerns.

O’Leary revealed his involvement with a group known as The People’s Bid for TikTok during a recent interview with Fox News. He aims to lead a multi-billion dollar acquisition deal that is set to address the privacy of TikTok's significant American user base, which numbers approximately 170 million. “Together with Frank, we aim to deliver an American-owned platform that safeguards national security,” O'Leary stated, expressing confidence in their shared vision to navigate the political landscape with the incoming Trump administration [HuffPost](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/shark-tank-kevin-tiktok-us_n_677d1f55e4b0a25e19fc8846).

McCourt emphasized the importance of a fresh ownership approach, mentioning that their initiative would not only focus on security but also maintain a smooth transition for users. He remarked, “We’ve built a clean, American-made tech stack and continue to be the only viable bidder that can offer a seamless transition for everyone on TikTok without the existing algorithm” [LATimes](https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-01-07/kevin-oleary-joins-tiktok-bid).

The scrambling bid reflects a long history of tensions between TikTok and U.S. lawmakers, particularly since 2020 when former President Trump proposed banning the app over fears regarding data security and possible ties to the Chinese government. In April, President Biden signed legislation requiring the sale of TikTok's U.S. operations, which has propelled the need for swift action from O’Leary and McCourt [SCMP](https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3293914/tiktok-ban-shark-tank-investor-ex-la-dodgers-owner-make-last-ditch-effort-buy-app).

As legal challenges loom, with TikTok contesting the constitutionality of the divestment law, oral arguments in the case will be presented to the U.S. Supreme Court soon. The outcome may heavily influence the future of this popular social media platform, which has become a crucial outlet for countless American creators and users.

With the backdrop of this impending court showdown, the collaboration between O’Leary and McCourt signifies a last-ditch effort to preserve TikTok in the U.S. market while aligning with American values on privacy and security.