Chinese Officials Reportedly Weigh Selling TikTok US Operations To Elon Musk

Chinese authorities are reportedly considering a surprising move that could see Elon Musk acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. Bloomberg reports that officials in Beijing are evaluating this option as the Biden administration’s January 19 deadline looms for ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a ban in the United States.

The Biden administration has justified the potential ban on national security grounds, arguing that Chinese government influence over TikTok through ByteDance could pose risks to U.S. data security. ByteDance has pushed back, refusing to sell its critical algorithm and claiming the forced divestment violates its First Amendment rights.

Elon Musk, who purchased Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, is seen as a potential buyer for TikTok’s U.S. operations. Musk’s outspoken criticism of content censorship has fueled speculation that he could reshape TikTok’s policies if a deal were made. However, it remains unclear whether any discussions have occurred between Musk and ByteDance.

The Chinese government holds a “golden share” in ByteDance, granting it influence over the company. Lawmakers in Congress have warned that this connection allows Beijing to control TikTok indirectly, raising alarms about user privacy and data security.

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The Supreme Court recently heard arguments on the legality of the Biden administration’s demand but has not yet issued a ruling. With the January 19 deadline approaching, ByteDance may be forced to choose between selling or shutting down U.S. operations.

Adding to the uncertainty, President-elect Donald Trump, who once pushed to ban TikTok, has now urged the Court to delay the ban. Trump’s own use of TikTok during the campaign season marks a stark shift from his earlier stance.

As the deadline nears, questions remain about TikTok’s future in the U.S. and whether Musk will step in as a buyer or if ByteDance will hold its ground.