Multiple U.S. buyers have shown interest in acquiring TikTok, sparking excitement and speculation. The platform’s potential sale follows concerns about its Chinese ownership and national security risks.
MrBeast’s Ambitious Bid
Jimmy Donaldson, famously known as MrBeast, shared his enthusiasm about buying TikTok with millions of his followers. Speaking from a private jet, he exclaimed, “I might become your new CEO!” and promised $10,000 to five new followers.
Since Monday, his announcement has garnered over 73 million views. While Donaldson remained tight-lipped about specifics, he teased, “Just know, it’s going to be crazy.” The internet creator is one of several parties interested in owning TikTok, a platform now entangled in U.S. political debates.
The Big Players: Musk, Ellison, and Others
Legislation passed under President Joe Biden requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. This move stems from fears about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government and potential security threats.
Former President Donald Trump suggested a joint U.S. ownership model, proposing, “The United States should own 50%. That way, we keep TikTok in trusted hands.” He also extended TikTok’s operation deadline by signing an executive order, granting 75 more days for a resolution.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has emerged as a possible buyer. Bloomberg reported that China might consider selling TikTok to Musk, already the owner of the platform X. Musk expressed his thoughts on the matter, saying, “The current situation, where TikTok operates in America, but X is banned in China, is unfair. Something needs to change.”
When asked about Musk’s potential purchase, Trump responded positively, saying, “If he wants to buy it, I’d support it.” Trump also mentioned Oracle’s chairman, Larry Ellison, as a candidate. Ellison, a Trump supporter, played a pivotal role in previous TikTok negotiations. Oracle, a key TikTok server provider, warned that banning the platform could harm its business.
Billionaire Frank McCourt also expressed interest in purchasing TikTok. He proposed operating the platform without its proprietary algorithm, aligning it with the goals of the Project Liberty Institute, which he founded. McCourt, critical of social media data collection practices, said, “TikTok is worth less without the algorithm, but we are not interested in it.”
The Political Factor
Experts believe that TikTok’s new owner will likely align politically with Trump. Georgetown law professor Anupam Chander noted, “The buyer is likely to be politically sympathetic to Trump.” However, the proposed 50-50 ownership model may require changes to existing laws, potentially pushing Trump to seek congressional support.
Chander criticized the Biden administration’s decision to give the president significant control over TikTok’s future. “Handing a massive information platform to this political chaos was a mistake,” he said.
For now, TikTok’s fate remains uncertain, as the platform’s sale continues to unfold amidst political and corporate maneuvering.
