Image credit: The Byteline

President Donald Trump has floated the idea of Tesla CEO Elon Musk buying TikTok, saying he would support such a move if Musk were interested. The short-video app, which has 170 million American users, has been at the center of controversy over national security concerns tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

TikTok briefly went offline in the United States on Sunday as a law requiring its sale or banning its operations took effect. While the app has since been restored for existing users, it remains unavailable for download on Apple and Android platforms.

Trump’s remarks came on Tuesday, a day after he signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of the ban by 75 days. The extension aims to provide more time for a resolution as U.S. officials and ByteDance explore potential solutions, including a sale.

“I would be [open to it], if he wanted to buy it,” Trump told reporters when asked about Musk’s potential involvement. “I have met with the big owners of TikTok. What I’m thinking about saying to somebody is, ‘Buy it and give half to the United States of America.’”

Musk’s Name in the Mix

Reports of Musk’s potential interest in TikTok gained traction after Bloomberg revealed that Chinese officials were in preliminary talks about selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to the billionaire. ByteDance has denied the claim, but Musk’s own comments over the weekend have fueled speculation.

Musk, who owns social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has long criticized the uneven playing field between U.S. and Chinese tech companies. “I have been against a TikTok ban for a long time, because it goes against freedom of speech,” Musk said. “That said, the current situation where TikTok operates in America, but X is not allowed in China, is unbalanced.”

Musk’s connection to Trump further complicates the narrative. The Tesla CEO reportedly spent more than $250 million to support Trump’s reelection campaign in November, making him a key ally of the president.

The Broader Debate

TikTok’s fate has been a lightning rod for debates over data privacy, free speech, and U.S.-China relations. The app has argued that its data practices are secure and separate from Chinese influence, noting that user data is stored on Oracle-operated cloud servers in the U.S. and that content moderation for American users is handled domestically.

Free speech advocates have also criticized the ban, calling it an overreach. The law underpinning TikTok’s potential sale or ban was passed by Congress and signed by former President Joe Biden, but critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent.

What’s Next?

With TikTok unavailable for download and negotiations ongoing, the future of the app in the U.S. remains uncertain. Trump’s suggestion of Musk as a potential buyer introduces a new layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes drama.

Whether Musk steps in or another resolution emerges, the outcome will have far-reaching implications for U.S.-China relations, the tech industry, and the millions of Americans who use TikTok daily. For now, the spotlight remains on both Trump and Musk, two figures never far from the headlines, as they navigate this unfolding saga.

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