Billionaire Elon Musk has denied any interest in acquiring TikTok, despite increasing pressure on the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations.
Speaking at a summit hosted by Germany’s Axel Springer SE in late January, Musk made it clear that he has no plans to purchase the platform. “I have not put in a bid for TikTok,” he stated, adding that he is unfamiliar with the app’s format and does not use it personally.
Musk, known for building companies rather than acquiring them, reiterated that his $44 billion purchase of Twitter (now X) was an exception. “I usually build companies from scratch,” he said, suggesting that TikTok does not align with his business approach.
His remarks came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly suggested that Musk consider buying TikTok. The app, which boasts around 170 million American users, has been at the center of national security concerns, with U.S. officials warning that its Chinese ownership could enable data-sharing with Beijing—an accusation ByteDance has repeatedly denied.
U.S. Ban Looms Over TikTok
The U.S. government had given ByteDance until January 19 to divest its U.S. assets or face a potential ban. While Apple and Google have yet to reinstate TikTok in their app stores, the company has found ways to bypass restrictions by allowing U.S. Android users to download the app directly from its website.
Interestingly, Trump—who once pushed for TikTok’s ban—has softened his stance, recently expressing that he has “a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” acknowledging its influence in engaging young voters during the 2024 election.
Despite ongoing pressure, ByteDance has maintained that it has no plans to sell TikTok, and the company has not publicly commented on the latest developments.
What’s Next?
With Musk stepping away from any potential deal and ByteDance refusing to sell, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. Will the Biden administration push forward with a ban, or will the app find another way to stay accessible? The next few months will be crucial for TikTok’s fate in America.
