Reddit’s Architect Joins the TikTok Tug-of-War: Alexis Ohanian Backs McCourt’s Bold Bid for “Digital Revolution”

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a significant development in the ongoing battle over TikTok’s ownership, The New York Post has reported that Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has joined the high-profile effort led by billionaire Frank McCourt and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary to purchase the social media platform from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The trio’s bid, dubbed “The People’s Bid,” seeks not only to bring TikTok under U.S. control but also to restructure its underlying technology in a way that prioritizes user empowerment and data privacy.

According to the report in The New York Post, Ohanian will serve as a strategic advisor to the McCourt-led group, leveraging his experience as a tech entrepreneur to help shape the initiative. McCourt, a longtime advocate for a decentralized internet, has emphasized that acquiring TikTok is about more than just its ownership—it’s about fundamentally rethinking how social media platforms operate.

The urgency of the bid stems from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, which mandates that TikTok must find a U.S. buyer by April 5 or face a federal ban. As The New York Post has highlighted, this deadline follows a series of delays, including a missed January 19 divestiture deadline by ByteDance, which briefly caused TikTok to go offline.

With national security concerns at the forefront, The New York Post report has detailed how McCourt’s plan involves rebuilding TikTok’s algorithm on U.S. soil using a blockchain-based platform called “Frequency.” This decentralized infrastructure would provide users with greater control over how their personal data is utilized and monetized, addressing the longstanding fears about Chinese government access to American user data.

Ohanian, who co-founded Reddit and has built a reputation as a champion of user-centric technology, sees McCourt’s bid as an opportunity to reshape the future of social media. As The New York Post has reported, Ohanian cited the project’s commitment to decentralization and user empowerment as his primary reason for joining the initiative.

“I’ve spent my entire career building tech that puts power back in people’s hands — that’s what got me excited about The People’s Bid,” Ohanian said in a statement. “This isn’t just about TikTok, it’s about fundamentally rewiring how the internet works.” His endorsement signals the growing momentum behind the effort, as well as the broader ideological battle over data privacy and corporate control of digital platforms.

Despite having at least $20 billion in commitments from investors, The New York Post has noted that it remains uncertain whether ByteDance—or the Chinese government—will allow the sale to proceed. Given China’s stringent regulations on technology exports, any forced divestiture of TikTok’s U.S. operations is likely to face legal and diplomatic resistance.

Adding another layer of complexity, The New York Post reported that Vice President JD Vance has been tapped to oversee the potential sale. Trump has also suggested he may attempt to extend the sale deadline, though the extent of his authority to do so remains unclear.

While McCourt and O’Leary’s group has emerged as a major contender, The New York Post has reported that they are not the only ones vying for control of TikTok. Other potential buyers include tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley and YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, better known as “MrBeast.” Additionally, Trump has floated the possibility of Microsoft or Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison becoming involved in a deal.

Notably absent from the bidding war is Tesla and X owner Elon Musk. Despite speculation that he might take an interest in TikTok, The New York Post report confirmed that Musk has no plans to participate in any acquisition.

The ongoing debate over TikTok’s ownership has not gone unnoticed by the American public. According to a national survey cited by The New York Post, 77% of Americans express concerns about TikTok remaining under Chinese ownership. These fears have driven legislative efforts to force ByteDance to divest, with lawmakers pointing to the potential risks of data surveillance and content manipulation.

The fight over TikTok’s future is about more than just a corporate acquisition—it is a test of how the U.S. government handles the intersection of national security, digital privacy, and global competition in the tech industry.