Tick Tock For TikTok's Sale

The NPR Politics Podcast

NPR

Politics, Daily News, News

4.5 • 24.9K Ratings

🗓️ 2 October 2025

⏱️ 16 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Congress ordered the social media app to be sold to U.S.-based investors, citing national security concerns related to TikTok's Chinese ownership. But, despite President Trump announcing who might be involved in purchasing the app, the sale hasn't gone through yet, and it's unclear what exactly will be sold. We discuss the latest.

This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Elena Moore, and technology correspondent John Ruwitch.

This podcast was produced & edited by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs.

Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life.
0:05.0	Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors.
0:09.0	On our new show, Sources and Methods.
0:11.5	NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people,
0:15.0	helping you understand why distant events matter here at home.
0:19.0	Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:24.1	Hey, everybody, Miles Parks here.
0:26.1	Before we start today's show, I have a quick and exciting announcement for you.
0:29.6	The NPR Politics Podcast turns 10 years old this fall.
0:33.5	We grow up so fast.
0:35.1	And to celebrate, we are doing a live show later this month. That's right, a live show with a live audience and you can be a part of it. Come join me and some of the other voices you hear every day in person in Washington on Thursday, October 30th. You can find information on tickets and more at NPR.org slash politics live show. Again, npr.org slash politics live show. All right, here's
0:58.3	today's show. Whoa.
1:03.8	Back place? Yeah. Hi. This is Rebecca. And I'm at Lund Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire,
1:08.9	volunteering at the 50th anniversary of, New Hampshire Highland Games.
1:12.2	Backpipes alert.
1:13.0	Right now, we're getting ready to set a new Piper World Record.
1:16.7	We're attempting to have the largest number of Piper's and drums playing simultaneously in one gathering.
1:23.3	This podcast was recorded at 107 p.m. on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025.
1:30.8	Things may have changed by the time you hear this,
1:33.7	but hopefully we will now hold the new world record.
1:37.8	Okay, here's the show.
2:18.2	Jeez. How many pipers do you think that is? That's some really peppy piping pepipers right there. And hopefully my producers are good with that. Over under 150 pipers. Is that a game? That's my question. Yeah, I don't know. We have questions. I guess send another timestamp. Clarify. Hey there. It's the NPR Politics podcast. I'm Miles Parks. I cover voting. I'm Elena Moore. I cover politics. And NPR tech correspondent, John Rewich is here. Hi, John. Hey, guys. Thanks for being here. And we are hoping you can explain what is next for TikTok. The popular social media app has a set of buyers to move it from Chinese to American control. And John, let's just start there. Who is in line to take over TikTok?
	...

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