TikTok Denies Rumors of Sale Talks with Elon Musk

According to The Wall Street Journal, Chinese officials are reportedly considering a secret deal to sell the video-sharing app TikTok to Tesla CEO Elon Musk or other entrepreneurs trusted by the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok's spokesperson has firmly denied these reports, calling them "pure fiction."

Background

• U.S. authorities plan to shut down TikTok's operations in the country this weekend, citing national security concerns
• The ban can be avoided if TikTok's owner, ByteDance, announces it is in sale negotiations
• The Supreme Court is currently hearing an appeal against the ban
• Donald Trump has indicated he would reverse the ban

Why Musk?

The reports suggest Musk is being considered as a potential buyer because:

1. He maintains close ties with Trump
2. He regularly meets with Chinese Communist Party leaders
3. Such a deal could potentially satisfy both U.S. and Chinese interests

TikTok's Response

TikTok has strongly rejected these rumors, stating that the reports are completely fabricated. While ByteDance is a private Chinese company, any sale would require Chinese government approval due to regulatory oversight of TikTok's core algorithm.

Timeline

The ban is set to take effect one day before Trump takes office, leaving limited time for negotiations. The situation continues to develop, with all parties closely monitoring the developments.

The reported discussions highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding TikTok's future in the United States and the ongoing tensions between U.S. and Chinese technology interests.