TikTok is running out of time. The U.S. government has given the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, until April 5 to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. Several billionaires and companies are now being considered as potential buyers.
Elon Musk
Musk has not said he wants to buy TikTok, but his past $44 billion purchase of Twitter (now X) shows he is interested in social media.
He has also spoken against banning TikTok, calling it “censorship and government control.” His ties to former President Donald Trump have fueled speculation that he could step in.
Larry Ellison and Oracle
Oracle, led by billionaire Larry Ellison, already handles TikTok’s U.S. data. With a fortune of $207 billion, Ellison is seen as a strong contender. He is also a Trump ally, which could help in negotiations.
Microsoft
Microsoft, which once tried to buy TikTok in 2020, could be interested again. Trump recently said that Microsoft is in discussions about a possible deal. The company wants to grow its presence in social media and digital advertising.
MrBeast
YouTube star MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has over 113 million TikTok followers. He joked about buying TikTok earlier this month, but his group has since made a serious all-cash offer. The bid claims to address U.S. security concerns while keeping the app’s core features.
Other Potential Buyers
- Project Liberty: A group led by real estate billionaire Frank McCourt and investor Kevin O’Leary is pushing for a crowdfunded bid to give the public a stake in TikTok.
- Perplexity AI: The AI search company has suggested a deal that would let ByteDance investors keep some control while integrating TikTok videos into its platform.
- Steven Mnuchin: The former U.S. Treasury Secretary has been gathering investors but recently put his bid on hold.
Will TikTok Sell?
Despite the interest, ByteDance does not seem eager to sell. Some experts believe the company will fight the order or wait for a new political decision.
Meanwhile, a new AI chatbot from Chinese firm DeepSeek is gaining attention, possibly shifting focus away from TikTok.
The clock is ticking, and TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains uncertain.
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