TikTok has dismissed recent reports suggesting that the Chinese government may allow the sale of the platform to Elon Musk in order to prevent a ban in the United States. The reports, published by Bloomberg News and The Wall Street Journal, indicated that Chinese officials have discussed the possibility of selling TikTok to Musk to keep its US operations running, as a ban is set to take effect unless ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, divests its US assets.
According to the reports, one potential scenario being considered would involve integrating TikTok into Musk’s social media platform X. However, it remains uncertain how Musk, with a net worth exceeding $400 billion, could execute such a transaction, or if he would need to liquidate other assets to fund the deal. In response to these reports, a TikTok spokesperson called them “pure fiction,” rejecting the claims outright.
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This news comes as the US Supreme Court deliberates on the constitutionality of a potential TikTok ban. The challenge is rooted in the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in April, following concerns about national security risks related to TikTok’s data practices. TikTok has filed a legal challenge, arguing that the bill infringes upon First Amendment free speech rights.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the case, there is growing concern over TikTok’s data collection and its potential influence on public opinion. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns, further fueling debates over the platform’s future in the US.
