By bigbreakingwire As TikTok faces a potential U.S. ban over national security concerns, Elon Musk has emerged as a possible buyer for the platform’s American operations. The Supreme Court is set to decide on the fate of TikTok in the U.S. by January 19, with ByteDance’s ownership being scrutinized due to its ties to China.
According to *The Wall Street Journal*, Chinese officials might approve Musk’s acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. division. However, TikTok dismissed the speculation as “pure fiction.” Analysts, like Daniel Ives, suggest Musk’s relationships with both former President Donald Trump and Beijing make this scenario plausible.
If a sale occurs, it is likely to exclude TikTok’s proprietary algorithm, with the platform’s valuation estimated between $40 billion and $50 billion. Musk’s potential entry into the social media space, following his acquisition of X (formerly Twitter), could reshape the industry.
For now, the possibility of a TikTok ban looms, leaving millions of users and creators uncertain about the platform’s future in the U.S.
TikTok to Shut Down in US on Sunday as per reports
TikTok is set to shut down its U.S. app on Sunday unless the Supreme Court steps in to block a law requiring its sale to an American company. This law was introduced due to national security concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership and fears of data misuse.
Even if you already have the app downloaded, you will no longer be able to access updates or use new features after the shutdown. Existing users may still be able to use the app on their phones for now, but its functionality will likely diminish over time without updates. This shutdown could be avoided if the Supreme Court overturns the law or if a deal is reached to transfer TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American company.
Trump Opposes TikTok Ban, Seeks Resolution
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his opposition to the impending TikTok ban, according to a recent court filing submitted by his legal team. Trump’s lawyers revealed that he questions the necessity of the ban, citing his active presence and popularity on the platform. In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared his thoughts, asking, “Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?” He accompanied the post with a graphic showcasing his substantial engagement on the app, including billions of views on his official accounts and related hashtags.
In a critical statement, Trump’s lawyer, Dean John Sauer, clarified the president-elect’s stance, saying, “President Trump opposes banning TikTok in the United States at this juncture and seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.”
TikTok CEO Invited to Trump Inauguration
TikTok CEO Shou Chew has been invited to attend President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration and will be seated in a position of honor on the dais, alongside former presidents, family members, and other distinguished guests. The invitation, extended by the Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, was confirmed by sources familiar with the event. Chew will join other tech leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos at the inauguration. TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, declined to comment.
Trump and Xi Discuss Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump mentioned on Friday that he had a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they discussed trade, fentanyl, and TikTok. Trump described the call as “very good” for both China and the U.S.
Trump stated that he had a phone conversation with China’s Xi on Friday, during which they discussed trade, fentanyl, and TikTok. He also expressed confidence that they will work together to resolve many issues.
In the phone call, Xi emphasized the importance of their interactions and expressed hope for a positive beginning to China-U.S. relations under the new U.S. administration. He also stated that both countries aim to make significant progress in their relationship from this fresh starting point.
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