The Chinese government is considering a plan to have Elon Musk acquire TikTok’s US business to keep the app from being banned, according to Bloomberg News. The plan is one of several options being explored as the US Supreme Court weighs whether to uphold a law that could effectively ban TikTok in the US.
If the law is upheld, third-party internet service providers would be penalized for supporting TikTok’s operations in the country. Under this plan, Musk would oversee both X, which he currently owns, and TikTok’s US business.
However, it’s unclear whether ByteDance knows about the Chinese government’s plans or if they are aware of Musk’s involvement. Senior Chinese officials are debating contingency plans involving TikTok’s future in the US as part of larger discussions with President-elect Donald Trump.
The Supreme Court held oral arguments last week on a law that bans TikTok, which President Joe Biden signed in April. TikTok argues that the law violates its users’ free-speech rights, while the US government claims that ByteDance’s ownership poses a national security risk.
With the Supreme Court appearing to side with the government, Musk may be able to navigate the situation by working with Trump, who has since flipped on his previous stance on TikTok. The Chinese government is exploring various options, including Musk’s acquisition plan, to ensure TikTok remains available in the US.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/13/china-considers-selling-tiktok-us-operations-to-musk-bloomberg-.html