Donald Trump tries to negotiate TikTok sale on live TV as he defends Capitol riot pardons

21 January 2025, 23:50 | Updated: 22 January 2025, 06:18

Donald Trump has attempted to negotiate a potential TikTok sale on live television, in what was supposed to be an announcement about investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

The US president was holding a news conference about a $500bn (£405bn) investment in AI infrastructure in the country, but was questioned about a range of topics.

At one point he attempted to negotiate the sale of TikTok with American businessman Larry Ellison, who is said to be worth more than $204bn (£165bn).

Mr Trump also had to defend some of his actions just one day into his second term.

When the topic of TikTok was raised, Mr Trump said he was "open" to his close friend Elon Musk buying the app, adding: "I would be, if he wanted to buy it. I'd like Larry [Ellison] to buy it too."

He continued: "I have the right to make a deal, the deal I'm thinking about, Larry let's negotiate in front of the media.

"The deal I think is this. I've met with the owners of TikTok, the big owners, it's worthless if it doesn't get a permit... with a permit it's worth like a trillion dollars.

"What I'm thinking of saying to someone is buy it and give half to the US, half, and we'll give you a permit... the US will be the ultimate partner and the US will make it very worthwhile for them."

"Sounds like a good deal to me Mr President," Mr Ellison said, when asked by the president about the offer.

During the press conference, Mr Trump also said he received a "very nice letter" from the outgoing Joe Biden.

"It was a little bit of an inspirational type letter, joy, do a good job, important, very important the job is, I think it was a nice letter, I think I should let people see it... I appreciated the letter," he said.

Capitol riot pardons

As part of a blitz of executive orders Mr Trump signed on Monday, he issued pardons for more than 1,500 people involved in the Capitol riot - including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders.

When asked how he justified pardoning convicted violent rioters, some of whom attacked police, he said: "I am the friend of police more than any president that has been in this office.

"They've been given a pardon, I thought their sentences were ridiculous and excessive."

When further questioned over the words of his vice president JD Vance, who said no violent rioters would be pardoned, Mr Trump claimed they had "served years in jail and murderers don't even go to jail in this country".

Tariff countdown

Across the campaign trail, Mr Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect of using tariffs against other countries.