The TikTok Takeover: MrBeast, Trump, and Musk Lead Potential Buyers

Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, shared exciting news with his millions of TikTok followers. “I might become you guys’ new CEO! I’m super excited!” he said from a private jet. In addition, he gave $10,000 to five random new followers. His post quickly went viral, accumulating over 73 million views. Although Donaldson couldn’t reveal specific details, he promised, “Just know, it’s gonna be crazy.”

TikTok’s Controversial Sale

Meanwhile, MrBeast is not the only one interested in purchasing TikTok. The platform has become the center of a heated political debate in the U.S. In fact, last year, President Joe Biden signed a law that required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a ban in the U.S. This move was driven by growing concerns over national security and TikTok’s connections to the Chinese government.

Trump’s Proposal

In light of this, US President Donald Trump has suggested a joint venture model. He has proposed that the U.S. should own 50% of TikTok. “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to [stay up].” Furthermore, Trump signed an executive order that allows TikTok to remain operational for another 75 days.

Elon Musk’s Interest

In addition, reports indicate that China may consider selling TikTok to Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter). Musk himself has voiced concerns about the current situation. He pointed out that while TikTok operates in the U.S., X is banned in China. “Something needs to change,” he said. When asked about Musk buying TikTok, Trump replied, “I would be if he wanted to buy it, yes.” Trump also mentioned Oracle’s Larry Ellison, who could potentially purchase the platform. Notably, Oracle manages many of TikTok’s servers and has warned that a ban could negatively impact its business.

Frank McCourt’s Offer

Furthermore, billionaire Frank McCourt has expressed interest in acquiring TikTok. McCourt’s vision involves running the platform on technology from his Project Liberty Institute. He has been critical of social media companies’ data collection practices. However, McCourt’s offer does not include TikTok’s algorithm, which he admits would make the platform “worth less.”

Political Influence in the Sale

In the meantime, President Trump is likely to have a significant influence on choosing TikTok’s buyer. According to Professor Anupam Chander of Georgetown Law, the winning bidder will probably be politically aligned with Trump. Additionally, he pointed out that the proposed 50-50 ownership model doesn’t align with legal requirements. As a result, Trump might pressure Congress to change the law to make this model possible.

TikTok’s Future

For now, the platform’s future remains uncertain. Professor Chander criticized the Biden administration’s decision, stating that it gave too much power to the president. “It was a terrible idea to put the future of a massive information platform into this political maelstrom,” he said.

As a result, the fate of TikTok continues to hang in the balance, awaiting further developments.