Donald Trump Hints At Potential Us Buyers Of Tiktok, Including Microsoft
— written by Sanju on Jan. 29, 2025, 6:33 p.m.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again thrown TikTok into the political and business spotlight, granting the Chinese-owned social media platform a 75-day reprieve from its scheduled January 19 ban. But there’s a catch—Trump wants TikTok under American ownership, and he’s pushing for a fierce bidding war to make it happen.
Speaking to Republicans in Florida on January 27, Trump hinted that Microsoft was in talks with ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, about acquiring its U.S. operations. But he made it clear he’d rather see a competitive fight among buyers.
“We will have many people bidding on TikTok. This will help save the voice of 170 million Americans and all the jobs on the platform without involving China,” he stated.
The list of potential buyers isn’t short. Tech giant Microsoft is a front-runner, but Trump’s hints suggest that American billionaire Frank McCourt and Canadian entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary—known for his role on Shark Tank—are also in the mix.
Adding to the intrigue, YouTube sensation MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has expressed interest in buying TikTok, proving that social media creators are now big-time business players.
Interestingly, reports even suggested that Chinese authorities entertained the idea of selling TikTok to none other than Elon Musk, though the platform itself dismissed these claims as fiction.
So why did Trump extend TikTok’s operations? He says it's about jobs and economics. His plan? A joint venture where the U.S. holds a 50% stake, ensuring the platform contributes significantly to the economy. Oh, and let’s not forget—TikTok played a key role in helping him win over young voters.
With stakes this high and a star-studded cast of potential buyers, the battle for TikTok is just getting started.
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