As TikTok faces a potential sale, several high-profile figures have expressed interest in purchasing the platform amid political drama. Among them is Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast. He excitedly announced his bid to buy TikTok to his millions of followers. From a private jet, he proclaimed, “I might become you guys’ new CEO! I’m super excited!” This enthusiastic post has received over 73 million views since Monday. While he couldn’t reveal specifics about his offer, he assured fans that it would be “crazy.”
Political Drama Surrounding TikTok
TikTok’s situation has evolved into a fast-paced political saga in the United States. In 2022, then-President Joe Biden enacted legislation that mandated TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by January 19 or face a ban. This decision stemmed from national security concerns linked to the app’s ties to the Chinese government.
Former President Donald Trump has also shown interest in a potential joint venture involving TikTok. He stated on Truth Social, “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position.” This proposal aims to ensure TikTok remains operational and under American control. Trump has since signed an executive order extending TikTok’s operations for an additional 75 days.
Elon Musk and Larry Ellison in the Mix
Recently, Bloomberg reported that the Chinese government is considering a sale of TikTok to Elon Musk. Musk, the world’s wealthiest man and a close ally of Trump, owns the social media platform X. This week, Musk expressed his disapproval of the current imbalance regarding TikTok’s operation in the U.S. compared to X’s status in China. He tweeted, “The current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced.”
When asked whether he would support Musk’s bid for TikTok, Trump replied, “I would be if he wanted to buy it, yes.” Trump also indicated interest in Larry Ellison purchasing the app. Ellison, the chairman of Oracle, is a long-time Trump supporter and has been involved with TikTok as a key server provider.
Other Contenders and Future Implications
Billionaire Frank McCourt has also shown interest in acquiring TikTok. He has been vocal about his vision for the platform, advocating for its operation under the Project Liberty Institute, which he founded. McCourt has stated he does not want TikTok’s proprietary algorithm or Chinese technology. He believes the platform’s value may diminish without these features, but he is committed to a more transparent data collection approach.
Ultimately, President Trump may play a significant role in determining TikTok’s new ownership. Legal expert Anupam Chander from Georgetown University commented, “It’s going to be a winner that’s likely to be politically sympathetic to President Donald Trump.” However, he pointed out that the 50-50 joint ownership idea may not align with current legal requirements, which could compel Trump to persuade Congress to revise the law.
For now, TikTok’s future remains uncertain. Chander criticized the Biden administration for giving the president excessive control over TikTok’s ownership, calling it an “unforced error.” As the political landscape shifts, the fate of this influential social media platform hangs in the balance, with several potential buyers eager to take the reins.