China Reportedly Discussing Sale of TikTok’s US Operations to Elon Musk
Chinese officials are reportedly considering selling TikTok’s US operations to billionaire Elon Musk as the video-sharing platform faces a looming American law requiring ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, to divest its US assets. According to sources familiar with the matter, one scenario under discussion in Beijing involves Musk’s social media company, X (formerly Twitter), purchasing TikTok and integrating it into the platform.
The valuation of TikTok’s US operations is estimated to be between $40 and $50 billion. While Musk is currently the world’s richest person, how he might finance such a transaction remains unclear. Analysts have speculated that Musk may need to sell other assets to facilitate the deal.
The divestment requirement stems from a US law passed last year, which mandates ByteDance either sell TikTok or shut it down, citing national security concerns. The law is set to take effect on Sunday, just one day before President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to assume office. The US government has accused TikTok of enabling Beijing to collect user data, conduct surveillance, and disseminate propaganda. Both ByteDance and the Chinese government have denied these allegations.
In response to the legislation, TikTok has mounted a legal challenge, bringing the case to the US Supreme Court. During oral arguments on Friday, a majority of both conservative and liberal justices appeared skeptical of TikTok’s claims that the forced sale violates First Amendment free speech rights.
As the Supreme Court deliberates, discussions about Musk potentially acquiring TikTok reflect the high stakes involved in resolving tensions over the platform’s future in the US. For Musk, the integration of TikTok into X could further reshape the social media landscape, but the feasibility of such a deal remains uncertain.
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