Rumor Says China is Considering Selling TikTok U.S. Operations to Elon Musk

Rumor Says China is Considering Selling TikTok U.S. Operations to Elon Musk

Key Points

  • The latest rumor says China is considering selling TikTok U.S. operations to Elon Musk if a U.S. ban looms.
  • Beijing prefers that ByteDance retain ownership but is exploring alternatives. Amid escalating pressure, ByteDance may lose control over TikTok U.S.
  • Musk’s platform X could potentially take over TikTok U.S. operations. TikTok denies the report, calling it “pure fiction,” and no direct talks have been confirmed.
  • A U.S. Supreme Court ruling may enforce a sale or ban by January 19 over security concerns.

Chinese officials are reportedly engaging in preliminary discussions about a potential sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk if the app cannot evade a looming ban in the United States. According to Bloomberg News, Beijing officials prefer that TikTok remains under the ownership of its parent company, ByteDance, but circumstances might force an alternative solution.

The report suggests that TikTok’s U.S. operations could be sold through a competitive bidding process or government arrangement, signaling that ByteDance may no longer have full control over the app’s future. This development adds to the complex dynamics surrounding TikTok’s global operations, given that China’s government holds a “golden share” in ByteDance. This stake has raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers who believe it grants the Chinese government influence over TikTok.

One proposed scenario involves Musk’s social media platform, X, taking over TikTok U.S. and jointly managing the business. However, Bloomberg reports that officials have yet to agree on how to proceed.

TikTok dismissed the report as “pure fiction,” while it remains uncertain how much ByteDance, Elon Musk, or TikTok are aware of these discussions. No evidence has surfaced indicating direct talks between ByteDance, TikTok, or Musk regarding such a deal. TikTok has previously stated that China’s “golden share” does not affect ByteDance’s global operations outside of China, including TikTok.

Neither Musk, China’s Cyberspace Administration, nor the Ministry of Commerce have commented. The timing of these reports is critical, as the U.S. Supreme Court recently indicated it may uphold legislation requiring a sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S. by January 19 due to national security concerns tied to its Chinese ownership.

EDITORIAL TEAM
EDITORIAL TEAM
TechGolly editorial team led by Al Mahmud Al Mamun. He worked as an Editor-in-Chief at a world-leading professional research Magazine. Rasel Hossain and Enamul Kabir are supporting as Managing Editor. Our team is intercorporate with technologists, researchers, and technology writers. We have substantial knowledge and background in Information Technology (IT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Embedded Technology.

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