“Elon Musk Considered for TikTok’s U.S. Operations, MrBeast Jokes About Joining the Bid”
A recent report claiming that China may consider selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk has sparked online discussions, although TikTok quickly dismissed the rumor as “pure fiction.”
A recent report claiming that China may consider selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk has sparked online discussions, although TikTok quickly dismissed the rumor as “pure fiction.”
The speculation, initially published by Bloomberg, suggested that Chinese officials had explored the possibility of Musk’s X platform acquiring TikTok’s U.S. assets. This discussion was reportedly tied to the potential for a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could force a ban on TikTok unless its U.S. operations were sold by January 19. The social media platform, however, swiftly rejected these claims, with a TikTok spokesperson stating, “We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction.”
Despite the dismissal, the rumor set social media on fire. On X (formerly Twitter), users reacted with mixed emotions. Some expressed relief, with one commenting, “Thank God,” while others felt skeptical or worried. Popular YouTuber MrBeast, known for his humorous take on events, joined the conversation with a playful remark, “Okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.”
The conversation continued with users pondering what could be done to save TikTok, with one remarking, “What are we doing to save it then?” Another user predicted, “Why do I have a feeling Elon is gonna buy it anyway?”
However, not all responses were positive. A few users voiced concerns about Musk’s potential involvement, with one user stating, “We’d rather the app be banned than Elon taking it over. We already saw how he made Twitter go downhill…” Another user worried about Musk gaining control of both platforms, saying, “If Elon has both Twitter and TikTok, that’s it… he will own the internet.”
TikTok’s presence in the U.S. is currently under scrutiny, with national security concerns at the forefront. The Biden administration has voiced worries that the app could be used for espionage or political manipulation by the Chinese government. TikTok has continually denied these allegations, asserting that any potential ban would violate U.S. First Amendment rights.
Complicating matters further, former President Donald Trump, who is set to return to office on January 20, has urged the Supreme Court to delay any decisions regarding the ban. Trump’s legal team has indicated that he opposes an outright ban and favors addressing the issue through political channels. This speculation was heightened after Trump reportedly met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in December.
Meanwhile, in Congress, calls for an extension of the January 19 deadline are growing. Bipartisan lawmakers, including Senator Edward Markey and Representative Ro Khanna, have pressed the Biden administration to allow more time for negotiations and resolutions to the matter.
As the deadline approaches, the future of TikTok’s U.S. operations remains uncertain, with many speculating that the political drama and public discussion surrounding the app could continue to intensify in the coming weeks.
Sources By Agencies
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