Former President Donald Trump has signaled his approval of a potential acquisition of TikTok by Tesla and X owner Elon Musk, along with Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.

This comes in the wake of the platform’s recent ban in the United States over concerns about national security tied to its Chinese ownership.

The ban, enacted on Sunday, temporarily disabled the app for over 170 million U.S. users and removed it from Apple and Google app stores to comply with federal directives.

However, Trump, in one of his first executive actions, signed an order delaying the ban for 75 days, allowing TikTok to resume operations temporarily while its future is negotiated.

Speaking to reporters after signing the order, Trump suggested the U.S. government should receive half of the proceeds from any potential sale, positioning the move as a way to safeguard American interests.

“I have met with the big owners of TikTok,” Trump said. “What I’m thinking about saying is, ‘Buy it and give half to the United States of America.’”

Trump warned China against interfering with the sale, describing any obstruction as a “hostile” act and threatening to impose tariffs of up to 100% if necessary.

When asked about Musk’s interest in acquiring TikTok, Trump expressed his approval and included Ellison as another potential buyer. “I would be [open to Musk buying it],” Trump said.

“I’d like Larry to buy it, too. The deal is simple: TikTok is worthless without a U.S. permit, but with one, it could be worth a trillion dollars.”

Trump elaborated on his proposed arrangement, emphasizing that a deal with the U.S. would elevate the platform’s value.

“Buy it, give half to the United States, and we’ll give you a permit. With that, you’ll have a great partner in the United States, and TikTok will be something far more valuable because of it,” he added.

The proposal marks an unprecedented suggestion for government involvement in a private-sector deal and has already sparked debate over its implications for international business and U.S.-China relations.

A devastating airstrike in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia has left at least 13 people dead and 30 injured, marking one of the deadliest single attacks in weeks, Ukrainian authorities reported.

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry revealed that the strike involved two guided aerial bombs, which detonated in crowded areas of the city. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as a deliberate assault on civilians, labeling it “cruel” and calling for unified global action to counter Russia’s aggression.

“This attack underscores Russia’s true intentions — war and suffering,” Zelensky stated, sharing footage of the aftermath showing wounded victims and rescue operations.

The assault occurred hours after Ukrainian drones targeted a vital Russian oil depot hundreds of kilometers behind the front lines, igniting a massive blaze that claimed the lives of two Russian firefighters.

Rising Tensions and Retaliation

Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukraine, with Moscow portraying some actions as retaliation for attacks on Russian territory using Western-supplied weapons.

Zaporizhzhia, located about 35 kilometers from the front lines, has frequently been targeted during the ongoing conflict. The surrounding region, annexed by Russia in 2022, remains a flashpoint as rumors circulate about potential fresh offensives toward the city.

Meanwhile, another attack in the nearby village of Stepnogirsk claimed two lives and left others trapped under rubble after Russian shelling, local officials said.

Strategic Strikes Deep in Russian Territory

Earlier on Wednesday, Ukraine announced a successful drone strike on an oil depot in Russia’s Saratov region, near the Engels air force base. This site is critical to Russia’s air force operations.

The Saratov governor reported significant fire damage at the facility and declared a state of emergency in the area. Ukraine’s military stated that the depot’s destruction would hinder Russia’s ability to launch airstrikes on Ukrainian cities.

The escalating conflict comes as international leaders prepare to meet in Germany to discuss continued support for Ukraine. With uncertainty surrounding the incoming U.S. administration’s stance on military aid, Kyiv faces mounting pressure to secure commitments from its allies.