President Donald Trump has opened the door to the possibility of tech moguls Elon Musk and Larry Ellison acquiring TikTok, positioning such a move as part of a broader relationship with the U.S. government. During an impromptu moment at the White House, the President voiced his endorsement of the idea, expressing his belief it could be beneficial. "I would be if he wanted to buy it," Trump stated when asked about Musk's potential involvement. "I’d like Larry to buy it, too," he added, referring to Ellison as they announced their new commitment to artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Trump explained his thinking during the press event, where he proposed, "I have the right to make a deal. So what I'm thinking about saying to somebody is buy it and give half to the United States of America, and we’ll give you the permit, and they’ll have a great partner." Ellison responded positively, saying, "It’s one of the earliest examples of how Silicon Valley’s coziness with Trump could manifest over the next four years." This exchange highlights the potential intertwining of tech interests and government oversight as negotiations surrounding TikTok's future continue.
There is considerable concern, though, about the legality of this proposed arrangement. Experts worry this joint venture may not sufficiently resolve the issues leading to TikTok's operations being thrown under scrutiny since it's owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. Jonathan Entin, professor emeritus of law at Case Western Reserve University, indicated, "I don't know necessarily if Trump has thought this all the way through," reflecting skepticism about the deal's legal grounding.
Nonetheless, the financial incentives could be enticing for parties involved. Dan Ives, global head of tech research at Wedbush Securities, noted TikTok has emerged as "a chip on the poker table" in broader negotiations with China, particularly around tariffs. At recent rallies, Trump has indicated he intends to leverage TikTok's future operations as part of discussions with the Chinese government, asserting, "Whether you like TikTok or not, we’re going to make a lot of money." This perspective aligns with his administration's broader aim to push for financial concessions from Chinese interests.
Concurrent with these political maneuvers, there has been significant interest from various parties to secure TikTok's U.S. operations. Among those throwing their hat in the ring are tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley and popular internet personality MrBeast, who have announced their bidding group. Adding more fire to the competition are notable figures such as billionaire Frank McCourt and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O'Leary, highlighting the growing stakes as potential buyers jockey for position amid regulatory uncertainties.
Trump's administration shows signs of considering various bids, with Amazon and Oracle also being floated as possible suitors. Notably, Oracle has recently taken practical steps, such as aiding to restore TikTok’s app after its brief U.S. shutdown. This kind of involvement indicates how intertwined business partnerships are with political and regulatory frameworks, especially within the current administration.
Further complicate the scenario are Executive Orders signed by Trump, one of which extends the deadline for TikTok to facilitate its sale. Critics maintain, though, this act may not grant the legal protections necessary for companies involved to navigate federal regulations without risk
Throughout these developments, Trump’s more personal attitude toward TikTok has emerged. During the press conferences, he jokingly remarked on the humor of potentially downloading TikTok, stating, "No, but I think I might put it there. I think I’ll get it right now." This seemingly light-hearted comment underlines how he views the platform's engagement potential, particularly among younger voters.
While the legal and logistical challenges of this proposed acquisition remain fraught with uncertainties, the radical potential of tech titans like Musk and Ellison entering the picture provides new dynamics to A platform embroiled and precarious at best. If what Trump proposes evolves from mere chatter to firm action, it would signal significant shifts not only for TikTok but also for the political and economic relationships between the U.S. and China.