2025-01-22 11:09:35
President Donald Trump is “open” to Elon Musk buying TikTok.
The world leader signed an executive order postponing the US ban of the ByteDance-owned video-sharing platform – which came into effect on January 19 – for 75 days, one day after his inauguration on Tuesday (21.01.25).
And he has said he would like to give the Chinese owners a “permit” to continue operating in the US, but only if it is 50 per cent owned by America, stating X (Twitter) and Tesla owner Musk – who is spearheading Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – would be an ideal buyer.
Speaking after announcing a $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure project Stargate, Trump said when asked if he would be open to Musk buying TikTok: “I would be, yeah.
“I met with owners of TikTok, the big owners, it’s worthless if it doesn’t get a permit.
“It’s not like you can take the US. The whole thing is worthless. With a permit it’s worth like a trillion dollars.
“So, what I’m thinking saying to somebody is buy it and give half to the United States of America and we’ll give you a permit and they’ll have a great partner, the United States.”
Trump also told press he would like to see Oracle CEO Larry Ellison purchase the 50 per cent.
He said: “I would like Larry to buy it.
“Let’s negotiate in front of the media, Larry.”
TikTok – which has refused to sell up and accused the US government of impinging on citizens’ right to free speech with the ban – is now back up and running for US users for the time being with its future still in doubt.
However, ByteDance is determined to come to a “long-term solution” with Trump.
The company said: “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.
“We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
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