Will TikTok’s U.S. operations be sold to Elon Musk?

TikTok has become an undeniable force in the world of social media, with reports claiming it has 170 million users in the U.S. alone. Its rise has been nothing short of meteoric, changing the way people interact with content online.

However, not everyone is happy with its success, especially in the U.S., where concerns about data security and ties to China have sparked a heated debate.

The U.S. government has been pushing for a ban or for TikTok’s American operations to be sold off, citing fears that the Chinese government could access sensitive user data. With the situation becoming more critical by the day, it’s clear that TikTok’s future in the U.S. is hanging in the balance.

The clock is ticking for TikTok in the U.S.

A January 10, 2025 hearing could either seal the app’s fate in the U.S. or serve as its saving grace.

TechloyLouis Eriakha

This brings us to an unexpected twist in the story. Reports have surfaced that Chinese officials are discussing the possibility of selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to billionaire business mogul Elon Musk, per Bloomberg.

Musk, of course, is no stranger to high-profile acquisitions, having taken over X (formerly Twitter) in 2022. Now, he could be stepping into a whole new level of influence if he were to take control of TikTok as well. This would give him a unique position in the social media world, with two of the largest platforms under his ownership.

While this idea may sound like something out of left field, it’s a serious possibility being considered by Chinese officials. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has made it clear that it doesn’t want to sell the app’s U.S. operations, but with pressure mounting from the U.S. government for the company to sell or risk being banned by January 19, it might have few options.

X is now worth less than a quarter of its purchase price

It’s a huge blow amidst a shrinking user base, fleeing advertisers, and mounting public criticism.

TechloyEmmanuel Oyedeji

A deal with Musk would raise all sorts of questions about competition, data privacy, and even political influence, given Musk’s ties to other high-profile figures like President-elect Donald Trump. There are also fears of what Elon Musk could turn the app into considering how X lost more than half of its value just two years since the acquisition.

For now, nothing is confirmed, and both ByteDance and Musk have denied any official discussions. However, the situation is evolving quickly, and it’s clear that TikTok’s future in the U.S. could take some unexpected turns in the coming weeks.