As speculation swirls about a potential TikTok sale to Elon Musk, the company denies any talks, reaffirming that ByteDance’s global operations remain unaffected by its ties to Beijing. Meanwhile, a US-imposed deadline threatens the app’s existence in America.
BT PC Bureau
TikTok has dismissed recent reports suggesting that Chinese authorities are considering selling its US operations to Elon Musk, branding the claims as “pure fiction.”
The denial followed a Bloomberg report stating that Beijing might explore selling TikTok’s US business to Musk if the Supreme Court upholds a pending ban. The court is set to rule on the matter before January 19, 2024, a deadline for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US operations or face a nationwide ban.
The US government has accused TikTok of allowing Beijing to spy on users and spread propaganda, allegations denied by both ByteDance and the Chinese government. Last year, US lawmakers passed legislation demanding ByteDance divest TikTok’s US business, citing national security concerns linked to its ties with the Chinese government.
Cracking me up @IngrahamAngle having so much fun reporting that TikTok in talks to sell to @elonmusk . The left has just been seen jumping off the cliff. Lmao 🤣 pic.twitter.com/wl0tpl51U9
— Red Trumper 🗽🎺🎺🎺🗽 (@Redhead4645) January 14, 2025
Speculative Musk Involvement
A Bloomberg report revealed that Chinese officials were in preliminary discussions about selling TikTok’s US arm to Elon Musk, should the app face a ban. The deal would potentially integrate TikTok’s 170 million US users with Musk’s social media platform, X, leveraging its vast advertising infrastructure. The report valued such a transaction at $40-$50 billion.
While Musk has expressed opposition to banning TikTok, calling such a move contrary to “freedom of speech and expression,” TikTok firmly denied any discussions involving Musk or the Chinese government. A TikTok spokesperson stated, “We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” and ByteDance reiterated that China’s stake in the company does not influence its operations outside China.
Rising Tensions and Looming Deadline
📢 TikTok has rejected rumors of a potential sale to Elon Musk as “pure fiction.” Speculation arose about discussions to sidestep a U.S. ban due to security concerns. Current status: No sale in the works. #TikTok #ElonMusk #USBan pic.twitter.com/rTXofyBPD6
— OMM Breaking News (@Operativ_MM) January 14, 2025
ByteDance has until January 19 to sell TikTok’s US operations or cease services in the country. Failure to comply could result in the loss of updates and security patches for users, even as the app remains operational on existing devices.
The US government’s concerns stem from ByteDance’s “golden share” structure, which grants Beijing significant influence. This has fueled bipartisan calls for either a sale or a nationwide ban.
Broader Implications and Industry Impact
If Musk opts out, other potential bidders for TikTok’s US operations could include Microsoft, Oracle, or investor-led consortiums. However, China is reportedly intent on keeping TikTok under ByteDance’s control, fearing that a sale could weaken its strategic leverage and set a precedent for other companies facing foreign scrutiny.
For TikTok creators, a ban could mean migrating to alternatives like YouTube or Instagram Reels, which may benefit companies like Meta and Google. The outcome of this high-stakes decision will determine the fate of one of the world’s most popular apps.
