As TikTok faces a looming ban in the U.S., reports reveal Beijing is debating a daring solution-selling the app's U.S. operations to Elon Musk, sparking outrage and skepticism across social media.
China Considers Elon Musk for TikTok Amid Looming Ban
The news broke that tech billionaire Elon Musk is being considered as a possible solution by Chinese authorities in anticipation of a ban on TikTok, which has social media users expressing their collective disapproval.
On Monday night, Bloomberg News was informed by sources close to the situation that Chinese officials would rather have ByteDance retain ownership of the wildly successful app, which has over 1 billion active users per month globally.
ByteDance Faces U.S. Deadline Under National Security Law
ByteDance was given nine months to sell the app to a US-approved buyer after President Joe Biden put into law legislation that Congress had passed in April 2024, citing national security concerns.
Legislation threatening a statewide ban may be finalized by January 19, the day before President-elect Trump is scheduled to resume his duties, unless the corporation is sold off by then.
The supreme court, which the corporation has petitioned, hinted last week that it intends to permit the prohibition to go into force.
China Explores Options to Avoid U.S. TikTok Ban
The article states that high-ranking Chinese officials have discussed next steps, namely how to collaborate with the Trump administration. One of these proposals involves selling to Elon Musk, who has been appointed to co-chair the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which is charged with cutting trillions of dollars from the government budget, and who spent approximately $250 million to back Trump.
Musk's X Could Take Over TikTok U.S. Operations
The article states that one suggestion is for Musk's social media platform X to acquire TikTok US.
According to Musk, TikTok should be accessible in the US.
Despite the potential benefits to the X platform, the CEO of Tesla stated on X that the United States should not prohibit TikTok. This is not the United States of America, and it would violate the First Amendment right to free speech.
Critics Voice Concern Over Musk's Growing Influence
Opponents of the plan voiced their displeasure that Musk might acquire control of two influential social media platforms.
For $44 billion, Musk infamously acquired Twitter, which he later renamed X. According to Fidelity's most recent valuation estimates, X is now worth around $9.4 billion, a drop of over 80%.
"Because of course," George Pearkes, a macro strategist at Bespoke, wrote. "Big trial balloon energy," he chimed in.
Public Reaction Highlights TikTok's Controversial Future
UW biology professor Carl T. Bergstrom scolded TikTok, saying the company would eat Musk for breakfast and then demand more.
"So we would go from TikTok being owned by the Chinese to someone born outside the U.S. using it as a weapon-just like they've turned this hellhole into a cesspool of lies. Misinformation will be the death of this nation," Democratic strategist Chris D. Jackson said on X.
According to Max Tani, media editor at Semafor, it would be incredible if Biden and the Democrats succeeded in having TikTok banned due to concerns about national security and its influence on US public opinion. However, then Elon would likely purchase the platform and modify its algorithm to align with his conservative political and business interests.
