China Considers Selling TikTok U.S. Operations to Elon Musk Amid Ban Threat

BEIJING, China — Chinese officials are reportedly considering selling TikTok‘s U.S. operations to billionaire Elon Musk if the popular short-video app fails to overturn a potential ban, according to a Bloomberg News report on Monday. The deliberations, still in preliminary stages, come as TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, contests the ban in the U.S. Supreme Court.

The report, citing sources familiar with the matter, indicates that Chinese officials prefer TikTok to remain under ByteDance’s control. However, under one proposed scenario, Musk’s social media platform X would take over TikTok’s U.S. operations and manage the business jointly. No final decisions have been made, and discussions remain ongoing.

TikTok declined to comment on the report, while Musk and X did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Cyberspace Administration of China and China’s Ministry of Commerce, agencies that could influence TikTok’s future, were also unavailable for comment.

The potential sale discussions follow a U.S. Supreme Court hearing last week, where justices appeared inclined to uphold a law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations by Jan. 19. The law stems from national security concerns over the app’s Chinese ownership, which U.S. lawmakers argue could allow the Chinese government to access sensitive user data.

TikTok has repeatedly denied these allegations, asserting that it operates independently of the Chinese government and has implemented measures to safeguard U.S. user data. The company has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, seeking to block the forced divestiture.

Elon Musk’s involvement in the discussions adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing saga. Musk, who acquired Twitter (now X) in 2022, has been vocal about his vision for a free speech-oriented social media platform. However, his potential acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. operations raises questions about regulatory scrutiny and antitrust concerns.

As the Jan. 19 deadline approaches, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. The outcome of the Supreme Court case and ongoing negotiations between Chinese officials and potential buyers like Musk could determine whether the app continues to operate in one of its largest markets.