Musk’s X — formerly Twitter — would take control of TikTok US and run the businesses together.
Chinese officials are evaluating a potential option that involves Elon Musk acquiring the US operations of TikTok if the company fails to fend off a controversial ban on the short-video app, according to people familiar with the matter.
Chinese officials have yet to reach any firm consensus about how to proceed and their deliberations are still preliminary, the people said. It’s not clear how much ByteDance knows about the Chinese government discussions or whether TikTok and Musk have been involved. It’s also unclear whether Musk, TikTok and ByteDance have held any talks about the terms of any possible deal.Musk and his representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
The Chinese government holds a so-called golden share in a ByteDance affiliate that gives it influence over the company’s strategy and operations. TikTok maintains that the control only applies to the China-based subsidiary Douyin Information Service Co., and has no bearing on ByteDance operations outside China. Still, Beijing’s export rules prevent Chinese companies from selling their software algorithms, like the one integral to TikTok.
A majority of the Supreme Court justices suggested the security concerns take priority over free speech, although they have yet to issue a formal decision. President-elect Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, has sought to delay the TikTok ban — which takes effect Jan. 19 — so he can work on the negotiations. He has said he wants to “save” the app and there’s been speculation he could take last-minute action to sidestep the ban.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
TikTok Denies Report Claiming China Is Looking to Sell to Elon MuskBloomberg reported that the Chinese government were considering a merge between TikTok and social media app X Monday.
Read more »
China May Sell TikTok US to Elon Musk to Avert BanBloomberg reports that Chinese officials are considering selling TikTok's US operations to Elon Musk to prevent a potential ban by the US government. The US Supreme Court is set to uphold a national security-based ban on TikTok by January 19th. Chinese officials reportedly prefer that TikTok remain under ByteDance's ownership, but are exploring contingency plans should a sale be necessary.
Read more »
Chinese Officials Mull Selling TikTok US Operations to Elon Musk Amidst Potenial BanChinese officials are weighing a sale of TikTok's U.S. operations to Elon Musk as a potential solution if the social media platform faces a ban by U.S. authorities. The report follows increasing pressure on TikTok, with concerns over data collection and national security leading to a potential U.S. ban.
Read more »
Chinese Government Considers Elon Musk Acquisition of TikTok's US BusinessIn a surprising development, the Chinese government is reportedly exploring a plan for Elon Musk to acquire TikTok's US operations amidst the ongoing legal battle surrounding the app's fate in the United States. This contingency plan is being considered as the US Supreme Court prepares to rule on a law that could effectively ban TikTok in the country. The report, citing anonymous sources, details how the Chinese government is evaluating several options for TikTok's future in the US. One such option involves Musk overseeing both X, the social media platform he currently owns, and TikTok's US business. However, the report emphasizes that this plan remains preliminary and Chinese officials have yet to make a final decision. The involvement of ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, and Musk in these discussions remains unclear. This news emerges as the US Supreme Court reviews a law passed in April that requires ByteDance to divest TikTok's US operations by January 19th. The court's decision is expected to have a significant impact on TikTok's future in the United States.
Read more »
TikTok US Operations Could Be Sold to Elon Musk If Ban EnactedBloomberg News reports that Chinese officials are considering selling TikTok's US operations to Elon Musk if the app faces a potential ban in the US. Chinese officials prefer for TikTok to remain under Bytedance's control, but are exploring options if the company loses its appeal to the US Supreme Court. Under one scenario, Musk's platform X would manage TikTok US.
Read more »
TikTok Sale to Elon Musk Explored Amid US Ban ThreatChinese officials are considering selling TikTok's US operations to Elon Musk as a potential solution to avert a looming ban. The move comes amidst growing US concerns over national security and data privacy related to TikTok's parent company, ByteDance. While Beijing prefers TikTok to remain under ByteDance's control, the app's future in the US is uncertain. The report suggests a sale through a competitive process or a government-facilitated arrangement. Musk's social media platform X (formerly Twitter) could potentially take control of TikTok's US operations. However, no official confirmations have been made by any party involved.
Read more »