China Allegedly Weighs TikTok US Sale to Elon Musk Amid Legal Pressures

Jimmy Jing

14 Jan 2025 — 1 min read

Recent reports suggest that Chinese government officials have considered selling TikTok's United States operations to Elon Musk. This potential scenario is contingent upon the Supreme Court's decision to uphold a legal ban on the app set for January 19th.

Strategic Considerations

Sources indicate that China prefers TikTok remains under the ownership of its parent company, ByteDance. However, the possibility of a sale to Elon Musk is reportedly being discussed as part of strategic moves to engage with the incoming administration of Donald Trump. In this speculative move, Musk's firm, X, would acquire TikTok US, thereby incorporating its 170 million American users and tapping into significant advertising revenue potential.

TikTok's Response

A TikTok spokesperson dismissed the report, labeling it as "pure fiction" in a statement provided to Variety. This denial suggests a divergence between the reported discussions and the company's official stance.

Uncertain Knowledge

The report raises questions about the extent to which ByteDance and TikTok are aware of these discussions regarding a possible transaction with Musk. This situation underscores ongoing concerns about China's influence over TikTok, which is central to the legal challenges it faces.

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