A recent report suggesting that China might sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk has ignited intense discussions across social media. The report, published by Bloomberg, speculated that Chinese officials had considered selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to Musk’s X platform, contingent on the U.S. Supreme Court upholding a potential TikTok ban unless its American assets were sold by January 19.
TikTok quickly debunked the claims, branding them “pure fiction.” A spokesperson told BBC News, “We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction.” Despite the denial, the speculation has fueled widespread reactions online.
Social Media Reacts: Mixed Opinions Abound
The news sent social media platforms into overdrive, with users flocking to X to share their thoughts. Some welcomed the possibility, with one user commenting, “Thank God,” and another calling it “Finally some good news.” YouTuber MrBeast even joked, “Okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.”
Okay fine, I’ll buy Tik Tok so it doesn’t get banned
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) January 14, 2025
Others were less optimistic. A user wrote, “We’d rather the app be banned than Elon taking it over. We already saw how he made Twitter go downhill.” Another added, “If Elon has both Twitter and TikTok, that’s it … he’ll own the internet.”
National Security Concerns and Legal Complications
The potential sale comes amid ongoing national security concerns in the U.S., with the Biden administration alleging that TikTok could be exploited by the Chinese government for espionage or political interference. TikTok has consistently denied these claims, arguing that such a ban would violate First Amendment rights.
Former President Donald Trump has also re-entered the debate, urging the Supreme Court to delay its decision. Reports indicate Trump prefers resolving the issue through political channels rather than an outright ban. Speculation grew after Trump reportedly met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in December.
Bipartisan Efforts to Extend Deadline
Meanwhile, bipartisan lawmakers in Congress are advocating for an extension of the January 19 deadline to provide more time for negotiations. Senators and representatives, including Edward Markey and Ro Khanna, have urged the Biden administration to seek a diplomatic resolution rather than an abrupt ban.
As discussions continue, the future of TikTok’s operations in the U.S. hangs in the balance, with national security concerns and political negotiations at the forefront of this unfolding saga.
