Donald Trump‘s pronouncements regarding TikTok often feel less like concrete policy and more like pronouncements from a reality TV show. His repeated claims that he will “save” the popular video-sharing app from a forced sale to a US company have left many wondering exactly what his plan entails, and whether it’s even feasible.

The initial executive order banning TikTok, citing national security concerns, threw the app’s future into disarray. While ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, explored a potential sale to Oracle and Walmart, the details remained shrouded in ambiguity. Trump’s pronouncements of a deal being “done” were swiftly followed by contradictory statements, leaving both investors and users in a state of uncertainty.

The vagueness surrounding Trump’s proposed solution is striking. He’s hinted at a “very strong” deal that would keep TikTok operating in the US, but specifics concerning data security, algorithm transparency, and the app’s ongoing relationship with ByteDance have remained elusive. The lack of concrete proposals raises questions about whether his stated aims are achievable, or whether they are simply rhetorical flourishes designed to appeal to his base.

Legal challenges to the executive orders further complicate the picture. While the administration claims national security justifies the actions, critics argue that the process lacked due process and that the broad strokes of the orders are overreaching. These legal battles could significantly impact, delay, or even invalidate any deal struck.

Beyond the legal and logistical hurdles, the economic implications are also significant. A forced sale, even a partially-owned US entity, could damage ByteDance’s valuation and stifle innovation. Furthermore, a rushed, poorly conceived deal could compromise data security, the very issue the administration purportedly seeks to address. The ultimate outcome remains unpredictable, leaving the future of TikTok, and the broader implications of government intervention in private tech companies, hanging in the balance. Until concrete details emerge, Trump’s promise to “deliver” remains just that: a promise.