The fight for control over TikTok has taken center stage as political tensions and national security concerns converge with the business ambitions of some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential figures.
Social media superstar Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, stunned his 73 million TikTok followers earlier this week with the announcement of his bid to purchase the wildly popular platform. Sharing his excitement in a now-viral post, Donaldson promised significant giveaways, including $10,000 to five random new followers. While he kept details under wraps, Donaldson teased, “Just know, it’s gonna be crazy.”
MrBeast isn’t alone in vying for TikTok. Reports suggest that tech giants and billionaires like Elon Musk and Oracle chairman Larry Ellison are also potential buyers. The urgency stems from a U.S. law signed by President Joe Biden last year, which requires TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by January 19 or face a potential U.S. ban due to national security concerns.
Musk’s Strategic Calculations
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has also hinted at interest. Musk recently criticized the imbalance between TikTok’s unrestricted access to U.S. markets and X’s inability to operate in China. “Something needs to change,” Musk stated on X, amplifying speculation about his potential involvement.
President Donald Trump, a vocal advocate of TikTok’s sale, indicated his support for Musk as a buyer, saying, “I would be [open to Musk buying it].” Trump also mentioned Oracle’s Larry Ellison, describing him as another ideal candidate.
Oracle’s History with TikTok
Ellison’s Oracle has a unique stake in the matter, as it already manages TikTok’s U.S. data centers. The company was a frontrunner in an earlier bid to purchase TikTok in 2020 during Trump’s presidency. Oracle has warned that a TikTok ban could impact its business, further fueling Ellison’s interest in securing a deal.
Alternative Bidders
Billionaire investor Frank McCourt, founder of the Project Liberty Institute, has also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok. McCourt has been critical of social media companies’ data practices and has proposed running TikTok on a decentralized technology model. However, his bid excludes the platform’s proprietary algorithm, a key element of its success, which he admits could reduce TikTok’s overall value.
The Political Maze
Amid the bidding frenzy, Trump’s influence looms large. Experts suggest the eventual buyer will likely align politically with the former president, given the law’s provisions and Trump’s outspoken involvement.
Anupam Chander, a law professor at Georgetown University, criticized the situation, stating, “It was a terrible idea to put the future of a massive information platform into this political maelstrom.”
For now, TikTok’s future remains uncertain as the January deadline approaches. What’s clear, however, is that the eventual outcome will shape the social media landscape and could have lasting implications for U.S.-China relations and digital commerce.
