“Turn it off. Make it go dark”: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary urges bold action on TikTok

TikTok’s fate in the U.S. is hanging in the balance, and Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary has some very specific thoughts about what should happen next. With just days left before the June 19 deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban, O’Leary made it clear that waiting around might not be the smartest option. In his words:

“Turn it off. Make it go dark.”

Appearing on FOX Business on June 12, 2025, O’Leary weighed in on the bigger picture: how Chinese companies are operating on U.S. markets, whether TikTok’s algorithm poses an existential legal threat, and what bold moves the U.S. government might consider. He didn’t hold back, calling for reciprocal trade enforcement, demanding more transparency, and highlighting a potential financial meltdown if companies take on TikTok’s legal baggage.

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Shark Tank star wants clarity before Chinese companies compete on Wall Street

Kevin O’Leary, known for his role on Shark Tank, said he isn’t ready to celebrate just yet. When FOX host Stuart Varney asked if the latest deal was underwhelming, O’Leary pointed to a lack of essential detail.

"I need more details specifically around IP protection and access to Chinese markets. Will Chinese companies comply as they raise capital competing with me on NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange?" he said.

According to him, it’s not just about narrative anymore, the market wants real answers. He emphasized:

"Details, Details, Details. But I want them all. I think the whole market wants them all."

In his view, the U.S. might be heading toward stricter rules.

"I think we're going to a reciprocal 10%. That's the vibe I'm getting out of this thing."

If that happens, it could mark a turning point for how Chinese companies list and operate within U.S. financial systems, especially alongside homegrown entities like those run by Shark Tank investors.

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TikTok’s algorithm is a billion-dollar legal risk

The June 19 deadline is fast approaching, and Kevin O’Leary is watching it closely.

“What’s going on with that?” he asked, pointing out the uncertainty that still surrounds the divestment.

When Varney asked where his own TikTok bid stood, O’Leary admitted:

"Exactly where we were since the last extension."

But he didn’t mince words about the real concern: the algorithm.

"Will anybody take on the liability of using the existing algorithm at a cost of billions per day as a penalty?" he asked.

That, he says, is the elephant in the room.

He warned that:

"You're talking about such a huge penalty that your company's wiped out. If you're a shareholder and you get litigated on this thing, you're gonna be pretty unhappy."

For Shark Tank entrepreneurs and investors alike, the takeaway is clear: whoever buys TikTok must tread very carefully, especially when it comes to the code that drives the platform.

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O’Leary won’t touch TikTok’s code

Kevin O’Leary didn’t just point out problems—he hinted at a solution. His own bid for TikTok, he revealed, doesn’t include the current algorithm.

"Obviously, I’m not taking the risk to work on that algorithm, so I’ll have to have come up with a better idea and we have one in our bid we’re not going to use that algorithm."

That’s a pretty big shift. It means any new buyer may have to rebuild the platform’s algorithm from scratch, a monumental task. But from O’Leary’s perspective, it may be the only legally sound move. Especially for U.S. companies under scrutiny by regulators, investors, and the public.

As a Shark Tank investor used to navigating risk, O’Leary knows the value of caution, and he’s signaling that any move involving TikTok must be airtight. If not, buyers could face a cascade of lawsuits and shareholder backlash.

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O’Leary hints at a showdown

With three separate groups vying for TikTok, the competition is fierce. But O’Leary remains focused on the risks. He believes delaying a decision might still be on the table:

"So, I think hunting it down the road is one option, could happen."

Still, he sees another path, one that applies pressure directly to Chinese leadership.

“Turn it off. Make it go dark, just like they did before and then everybody can scramble to get it lit back up."

It’s a bold idea, but O’Leary’s logic is strategic. A temporary shutdown could push ByteDance, and possibly even Beijing, to meet U.S. demands.

“Will it stay lit up midnight the 19th? Come on down and find out,” he added, leaving a dramatic cliffhanger that feels pulled right out of a Shark Tank pitch session.

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From IP protection to stablecoin legislation, O’Leary linked all the moving parts of U.S.-China policy into one sharp-edged takeaway: the rules are changing. For investors, tech giants, and regulators alike, the message is the same.

And if you’re a Shark Tank fan, this might sound familiar. The market wants clarity. The investors want leverage. And Kevin O’Leary? He wants results, minus the litigation.

With eight days to go and the stakes higher than ever, all eyes are on what comes next, in Washington, in Beijing, and yes, in the boardrooms of the Shark Tank set.