Elon Musk Eyed as Potential Buyer for TikTok Amid Looming US Ban

[Social Media]

 

Chinese officials are reportedly considering selling TikTok's US operations to Elon Musk as a contingency plan amid mounting pressure from the United States. The video-sharing platform, owned by Chinese tech giant Bytedance, faces a looming ban in the US if it does not comply with a new law requiring its separation from its parent company due to national security concerns. The deadline for compliance is January 19, at which point TikTok could be removed from US app stores.  

 

In response to the potential ban, TikTok has taken its case to the Supreme Court, arguing that such a move infringes on its free speech rights. Despite this, several justices appear inclined to uphold the legislation. TikTok maintains that it poses no national security threat and operates independently of Bytedance.  

 

Discussions in Beijing among senior government advisers have reportedly included the possibility of selling TikTok’s US operations to Elon Musk. Bloomberg has described these discussions as highly preliminary and lacking clarity on whether formal negotiations have occurred with TikTok or Musk. Bytedance has consistently denied any plans to sell the platform, and TikTok has dismissed the recent reports as "pure fiction."  

 

Musk, known for his opposition to restricting free speech, has previously voiced disapproval of banning TikTok. "In my opinion, TikTok should not be banned in the US, even though such a ban may benefit the X platform," he stated last year. "Doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression. It is not what America stands for."  

 

The idea of Musk acquiring TikTok could align with his expressed stance on freedom of expression and his cordial relationship with China. Tesla, Musk's car company, operates its largest factory in the country, and he has called himself a "big fan of China." This connection could potentially ease approval from the Chinese government, which would be essential for any sale.  

 

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who initially pushed for a ban on TikTok during his first term, has shifted his position. He has appealed to the Supreme Court to delay the ban, expressing hope for a "political resolution." Trump also described TikTok as a valuable counterweight to Facebook, stating he has a "warm spot in my heart for TikTok."  

 

Should TikTok be put on the market, it is expected to attract a price tag in the tens of billions of dollars. Interest in acquiring the platform has already been expressed by billionaire Frank McCourt and US investor Kevin O’Leary. However, separating TikTok from Bytedance could prove “extraordinarily difficult,” according to the company.  

 

As the January 19 deadline approaches, the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain. While discussions of a potential sale to Musk remain speculative, the debate underscores the broader tensions between the US and China over technology and national security.  

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-16

 

 

[soalbundy]

Why not? He's already bought the government, what's next, Tesco's?

[SiSePuede419]

I'm firmly convinced that this ban on vague unproven "national security" is Unconstitutional.

Musk already owns one failing propaganda platform why would he want competition?  Everyone serious has already moved to Bluesky.

Tik Toke is the Chinese Facebook copy.  Nothing YouTube shorts doesn't have.

Doom scrolling.  Who needs it?  Not Elmo.  He's got American taxpayers to milk for welfare handouts.

[JonnyF]

Let's hope he gets it.

 

X is now a marvellous free speech platform, far removed from the bitter leftist echo chamber that Twitter had descended into. 

[Justanotherone]

if he pumps doge or any other <deleted>coin , does some whale buying first, he can pay for it in a few days of speculation

[stevenl]

Could there be any connection between trump's request to put the lawsuit to ban tiktok on hold and musk emerging as a potential buyer?

[radiochaser]

4 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

I'm firmly convinced that this ban on vague unproven "national security" is Unconstitutional.

Musk already owns one failing propaganda platform why would he want competition?  Everyone serious has already moved to Bluesky.

Tik Toke is the Chinese Facebook copy.  Nothing YouTube shorts doesn't have.

Doom scrolling.  Who needs it?  Not Elmo.  He's got American taxpayers to milk for welfare handouts.

Left-Wing Social Media Platform ‘Bluesky’ Says It Cannot Keep Up With Users’ Censorship Requests

"In the past 24 hours, we have received more than 42,000 reports (an all-time high for one day). We’re receiving about 3,000 reports/hour. To put that into context, in all of 2023, we received 360k reports. We’re triaging this large queue so the most harmful content such as CSAM is removed quickly."

 

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/11/left-wing-social-media-platform-bluesky-says-it/

[Cat Boy]

Absolutely no way this is going to happen. Just another wild, unfounded rumor of misinformation. Anti-trust on the American side due to his half-witted ownership of Twitter/X, and against Chinese law prohibiting the transfer of ownership of the algorithm outside of China. I'm just daily appauled at how what was once news has deteriorated into random heresy without any basis in reality.

[jas007]

I've been following this for a few days.. Anything can happen, depending.  Apparently, one sticking point to any sale would be that the Chinese company controls a "golden share" of the company that cannot be transferred outside of China.  So, even if the US TikTok assets are sold, the company would still ultimately be under Chinese ownership. That issue alone might be enough to torpedo any sale. Also, politicians are concerned about the company's access to user data and the fact that Chinese law prohibits the transfer of the title Tok alogorythym outside of China.  Access to user data is seen as a "national security" concern.  That might just be the cover story, though.  What's the real issue?  Censorship or the lack thereof?

 

 

[herfiehandbag]

13 minutes ago, jas007 said:

I've been following this for a few days.. Anything can happen, depending.  Apparently, one sticking point to any sale would be that the Chinese company controls a "golden share" of the company that cannot be transferred outside of China.  So, even if the US TikTok assets are sold, the company would still ultimately be under Chinese ownership. That issue alone might be enough to torpedo any sale. Also, politicians are concerned about the company's access to user data and the fact that Chinese law prohibits the transfer of the title Tok alogorythym outside of China.  Access to user data is seen as a "national security" concern.  That might just be the cover story, though.  What's the real issue?  Censorship or the lack thereof?

I would imagine that these obstacles could be overcome, given Mr Musk's umh, shall we say, connections.

 

It could prove to be the first example of the influence of "the oligarchy" on the way that the new government operates - interesting times!

[jas007]

13 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

I would imagine that these obstacles could be overcome, given Mr Musk's umh, shall we say, connections.

 

It could prove to be the first example of the influence of "the oligarchy" on the way that the new government operates - interesting times!

Who knows?  I think there are other potential buyers besides Musk.  Anyway, I'm not sure I see the "national security" risk from Tik Tok.  Someone, somewhere, wants to control the propaganda machine, and leaving that power in Chinese hands is problematic.  It'll be interesting to see what the US Supreme Court finally decides. They may just see it as a free speech issue.  

[candide]

On 1/16/2025 at 8:56 AM, JonnyF said:

Let's hope he gets it.

 

X is now a marvellous free speech platform, far removed from the bitter leftist echo chamber that Twitter had descended into. 

Indeed, Twitter has decended! 😆

https://www.businessofapps.com/data/twitter-statistics/

[Captain Flack]

A troll post having to result to using a term that is not a recognised medical condition, to try to belittle others with differing political views has been removed.

[stevenl]

All black it is.

[Jingthing]

What or who doesn't Musk own?

This is getting ridonculous.

[Cryingdick]

It will never happen. What is funny is Trump will make a bunch of whiney little gen z types very happy. Biden will be the guy remembered by them as the gutsy who tried to kill Tik Tok. So it is all working out pretty well. A bit slimey but everybody loves slimey when it works to their advantage. 

[stevenl]

So tiktok is back again. By executive order after a law passed and was upheld by the SC. 

[LosLobo]

16 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

It will never happen. What is funny is Trump will make a bunch of whiney little gen z types very happy. Biden will be the guy remembered by them as the gutsy who tried to kill Tik Tok. So it is all working out pretty well. A bit slimey but everybody loves slimey when it works to their advantage. 

What is funny—and slimey (sic) —is whiny Trump wanting to sign an executive order to reinstate TikTok after signing one in 2020 to ban it.
 

Obviously, it’s a popularist bait-and-switch tactic to gain Gen Z’s and TikTok’s fealty while blaming Biden for something Trump initiated, echoing Afghanistan.

Biden has been clear—he doesn’t want to kill TikTok, no matter how much Trump twists the narrative to suit his advantage.

URL Links:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/01/15/trump-tiktok-ban-executive-order/

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/06/900019185/trump-signs-executive-order-that-will-effectively-ban-use-of-tiktok-in-the-u-s

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/biden-administration-keep-tiktok-available-us-rcna187902