Tech billionaire Elon Musk has clarified that he has no interest in purchasing TikTok, the popular short-video app currently under scrutiny in the United States over national security concerns tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Musk: TikTok Not on the Radar
Speaking at a summit hosted by Germany’s WELT Group in late January, Musk dismissed the idea of acquiring TikTok. His comments come amid speculation after former President Donald Trump suggested Musk could potentially buy the app.
“I have not put in a bid for TikTok,” Musk stated. He went on to explain that he does not use TikTok and is unfamiliar with its format. “I don’t have any plans for what I would do if I had TikTok,” he added.
Musk emphasized that acquisitions are not a primary focus for him, describing his $44 billion purchase of Twitter (now X) as an anomaly. “I usually build companies from scratch,” Musk noted, referencing his ventures like Tesla and SpaceX.
TikTok Under U.S. Scrutiny
TikTok has been embroiled in controversy over fears that its Chinese ownership could lead to U.S. user data being shared with the Chinese government. ByteDance has repeatedly denied these allegations, asserting that user data remains secure.
In response to national security concerns, the U.S. government set a January 19 deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban. Despite this, ByteDance has not indicated any intention to sell the app, and TikTok continues to operate in a limited capacity, offering U.S. Android users access through package downloads on its website to circumvent app store restrictions.
Trump’s Changing Relationship with TikTok
Former President Trump has had a complicated history with TikTok. During his first term, he sought to ban the app outright, citing national security risks. However, his stance has softened in recent years. In a recent statement, Trump expressed “a warm spot” for TikTok, crediting the platform for helping him connect with young voters during the 2024 presidential election.
Trump has also hinted at creating a sovereign wealth fund that could potentially purchase TikTok to keep the app operational in the U.S., but no definitive plans have been announced.
TikTok’s Popularity Amid Controversy
Despite ongoing political and legal challenges, TikTok remains a powerhouse in the social media landscape, boasting around 170 million users in the United States alone. Its future, however, remains uncertain as regulatory pressures mount and ByteDance resists calls to divest its U.S. assets.
Conclusion
For now, Musk has made it clear that TikTok is not part of his plans, focusing instead on his existing ventures. As the battle over TikTok’s fate continues, all eyes remain on ByteDance and the U.S. government for the next developments.
