In the closely watched sale of TikTok, the White House is playing the role of investment bank, with Vice President JD Vance running the auction. It is an unprecedented level of involvement in a private deal by the country's highest office that adds to the complexity of striking an agreement. Vance’s lead counsel, former Federal Election Commission Chair Sean Cooksey, is the main contact for bidders for TikTok's U.S. assets, providing feedback and suggesting adjustments to their offers,