China’s ByteDance Considers Elon Musk As A Potential TikTok Buyer

Over the past few months, the US government has pressured TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, to sell the company to an American firm or face a ban. With the threat of a potential ban growing, ByteDance is currently evaluating potential buyers of TikTok operations in the US and Elon Musk is one such buyer.

Elon Musk, Rumoured To Be A Potential Buyer Of TikTok From ByteDance

Reports from Bloomberg regarding the possible sale of TikTok to Elon Musk are from sources “familiar with the matter.” According to these sources, selling TikTok to Elon Musk will be of great value to not only ByteDance but also the Chinese government.

Considering Elon Musk’s role in the concluded US elections as Donald Trump’s ally, he stands out as a potential buyer of the social media platform. Additionally, Elon Musk has publicly kicked against the ban of TikTok in the US, stating that “TikTok should not be banned in the USA, even though such a ban may benefit the X platform.”

He adds that a ban on TikTok in the US “would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression. It is not what America stands for.” While he has publicly kicked against the ban, he hasn’t indicated any interest in purchasing the platform from ByteDance.

As Bloomberg reported, a ByteDance representative declined to comment on this possible sale, calling it “pure fiction.” At this time, the fate of TikTok still hangs in the balance, as a clear buyer of the platform has yet to be identified.

ByteDance TikTok To Pull Out Of the US On Sunday

On Sunday, January 19, 2025, TikTok plans to pull its services out of the US following the federal ban. There are reports that the court might move against this plan, hence forcing the app to be available to users but not available for download on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

If TikTok’s plan pulls through on Sunday, the app will no longer be available for use by over 170 million Americans on the platform. Those opening the app will not be able to access content on their pages but will be instead redirected to a page citing the ban.