TikTok’s administration has denied a report suggesting that China is considering selling the platform to billionaire Elon Musk in order to avoid it being blocked in the United States. Earlier, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous sources, that “Chinese authorities are exploring the possibility of Elon Musk buying TikTok’s U.S. section” if a law comes into force that requires the social network’s owner, ByteDance, to give up its stake in TikTok or face a de facto ban on the app in the United States.
When asked by Variety about the veracity of this information, TikTok stated, “We should not be expected to comment on pure fiction.” The platform therefore denied any suggestion that Chinese authorities were formulating plans involving Musk. For his part, the billionaire, who heads Tesla and SpaceX, did not respond to Bloomberg’s report. He had, however, acquired the microblogging platform Twitter in 2022 and subsequently renamed it X. According to Bloomberg, one scenario discussed by Chinese authorities involves transferring TikTok’s U.S. section to the X administration, though “it is unclear whether Musk, TikTok, and ByteDance have held any discussions about the terms of a possible deal.”
Some observers have pointed out that this situation illustrates the delicate balance between national security concerns and business interests. At the same time, TikTok’s administration insists there is no truth to the rumors of an imminent sale. While uncertainty remains, we’ll keep you updated as legal procedures unfold in the United States and China.
Court Proceedings and Possible Ban
The law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok—or risk being blocked in the United States—is set to go into effect on January 19 unless the Supreme Court rules to stay it. Last Friday, January 10, the Supreme Court heard arguments in TikTok’s urgent appeal. The platform’s administration and ByteDance representatives argued that the law violates the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans, who use TikTok for communication, entertainment, and business. However, the justices appeared to lean toward the government’s position that TikTok poses a national security threat due to its ties to Chinese jurisdiction.
Simultaneously, Chinese authorities have expressed a willingness to prevent TikTok from being sold to Americans, potentially blocking the export of key technology, adds NIX Solutions. In a significant twist, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to stay the law on January 19, demonstrating that political divisions over TikTok’s future run deep. For now, the platform continues to operate in the United States, and the legal fate of TikTok—along with any potential sale—remains undecided.
Observers note that, even if the Supreme Court intervenes, ByteDance’s position could still face challenges from legislators concerned about national security. Whether or not TikTok ultimately becomes part of another tech conglomerate, the interplay of legal, political, and economic factors will likely shape how this story develops. If any new information emerges, we’ll keep you updated on any potential outcomes or negotiations involving all parties.