Silke Mayr Several prominent U.S. figures have shown interest in acquiring TikTok, the widely popular social media platform. Among them is Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, who shared his excitement with millions of TikTok followers.
“I might become your new CEO! I’m super excited!” Donaldson announced from a private jet, promising $10,000 to five random new followers. His post has since garnered over 73 million views. While he couldn’t share specifics about his bid, he teased, “Just know, it’s gonna be crazy.”
Donaldson is just one of several potential buyers considering TikTok. The platform is at the center of a political debate in the U.S. over its ownership and national security concerns. Last year, President Joe Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to sell the app by January 19 or face a U.S. ban.
Musk, Ellison, and Other Contenders
Former President Donald Trump has suggested a joint venture, proposing that the U.S. take a 50% ownership stake in TikTok. “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and allow it to stay up,” Trump stated in a Truth Social post. He also extended TikTok’s operational deadline with an executive order granting an additional 75 days.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and owner of the social media platform X, has also been linked to TikTok. Bloomberg recently reported that China considered a TikTok sale to Musk. While Musk opposes a TikTok ban, he criticized the imbalance of allowing TikTok in the U.S. while X remains blocked in China. “Something needs to change,” he wrote on X.
At a press conference, Trump expressed openness to Musk buying TikTok. “I’d be fine with it if he wanted to buy it,” Trump said. He also mentioned Larry Ellison, Oracle chairman and a long-time Trump ally, as another ideal buyer. Oracle already plays a key role in TikTok’s operations, managing its vast data storage needs. The company had previously sought to acquire TikTok in 2020, noting that a ban could harm its business.
Billionaire investor Frank McCourt has also emerged as a potential bidder. McCourt, a critic of social media companies’ data practices, envisions TikTok running on technology developed by the Project Liberty Institute, which he founded. However, McCourt’s bid excludes TikTok’s proprietary algorithm, a decision he acknowledges lowers the platform’s value.
Political Drama Shapes TikTok’s Fate
TikTok’s future in the U.S. largely depends on political factors. Experts believe the ultimate buyer will likely align politically with Trump. Anupam Chander, a Georgetown law professor, highlighted the president’s significant influence on the sale. However, he noted the legal issues with Trump’s proposed 50-50 joint ownership model, which could require congressional intervention.
For now, the platform’s future remains uncertain. Prof. Chander criticized the Biden administration for giving the president substantial control over TikTok’s ownership. “It was a terrible idea to place a major information platform in the middle of political turmoil,” he remarked.