China Reportedly Weighs Selling TikTok US Operations To Elon Musk Amid Security Pressure
As ByteDance faces a looming January 19 deadline, sources indicate Chinese authorities are contemplating a surprising solution – permitting tech billionaire Elon Musk to acquire TikTok’s American operations. This potential move comes as ByteDance grapples with mounting pressure from Washington.
Citing data privacy and national security risks, the White House has issued an ultimatum: either ByteDance must sell its U.S. operations to American owners, or TikTok faces a complete shutdown in the country. The administration’s concerns center on potential Chinese government access to American user information.
BREAKING – Elon Musk, King Of Social Media?!
Chinese officials are reportedly considering the sale of TikTok to Elon Musk if a U.S. ban is upheld.
This is a developing story.
Source: Bloomberg
🇺🇸 Trump Will Fix It 🇺🇸
FOLLOW FOR MORE pic.twitter.com/QSMTjyDBMO
— Gary Norris (@boardwlk17) January 14, 2025
The situation has evolved into a complex legal battle, with ByteDance challenging the forced divestment in the Supreme Court. The company maintains its constitutional rights are being violated and has steadfastly refused to part with its proprietary algorithm, which forms the backbone of TikTok’s addictive content delivery system.
Since his acquisition and rebranding of Twitter to X in 2022, Musk has emerged as an intriguing potential buyer. His well-documented opposition to content restrictions has sparked speculation about how TikTok might transform under his leadership, though formal negotiations haven’t been confirmed.
The matter is complicated by Beijing’s “golden share” in ByteDance, which grants the Chinese government significant control over the company. This arrangement has reinforced U.S. lawmakers’ arguments that TikTok poses a national security threat.
If Elon Musk buys TikTok, would you use it?
— Testlabor (@testerlabor) January 14, 2025
In an unexpected twist, President-elect Trump, who previously championed banning the platform, has reversed course. Following his campaign’s successful use of TikTok, he’s now advocating for the Supreme Court to halt the Biden administration’s ban.
Chinese officials have discussed options for TikTok’s U.S. operations, including a possible sale to Elon Musk https://t.co/t6wOUrJsou
— Hossein Ghazanfari (@TehranWatcher) January 14, 2025
As the clock ticks toward the deadline, ByteDance faces a critical decision: pursue a sale, potentially to Musk, or risk losing access to one of its largest markets. The resolution of this international technology standoff remains to be seen.