
Faith Nyasuguta
YouTube sensation James Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has shown interest in purchasing the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, amid growing tensions surrounding its future in the U.S. This announcement follows a Supreme Court hearing on January 10, 2025, discussing a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by January 19, 2025, or face a potential ban.
MrBeast posted on X, “Okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.” His comment came after reports that China was considering selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to billionaire Elon Musk, sparking significant buzz on social media. However, TikTok quickly dismissed these reports as “pure fiction,” rejecting the notion that Musk would take over the platform’s U.S. operations.
The claim, originally published by Bloomberg, suggested that Chinese officials were contemplating a deal that would see Musk’s X platform acquire TikTok’s U.S. assets, contingent on whether the Supreme Court upheld the potential TikTok ban. TikTok’s response to these reports was firm, with a spokesperson dismissing them as baseless and unworthy of comment.

National security concerns continue to dominate discussions surrounding the platform, with the Biden administration asserting that TikTok could be exploited by the Chinese government for espionage or political influence. However, TikTok has denied these allegations, emphasizing that a ban would infringe on the U.S. First Amendment rights.
The situation has grown more complex with former President Donald Trump, who is set to return to office on January 20, calling for the Supreme Court to delay its decision. Trump’s legal team has expressed opposition to a total ban, instead advocating for the matter to be resolved through political means. Speculation has been fueled by reports that Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in December at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Meanwhile, bipartisan support for extending the January 19 deadline is gaining momentum in Congress. Lawmakers such as Senator Edward Markey and Representative Ro Khanna have urged the Biden administration to allow more time for further negotiations.

Despite these developments, a sale of TikTok remains unlikely. ByteDance has been steadfast in resisting the notion of a forced sale, largely due to the importance of TikTok’s algorithm, which is central to the app’s success. CEO Shou Chew has warned that separating American users from TikTok’s infrastructure could effectively “break” the platform. Additionally, the Chinese government has signaled its opposition to a forced sale of TikTok, further complicating any potential deal.
Despite these challenges, several buyers are reportedly interested in acquiring TikTok, eager to take control of one of the world’s most influential social media platforms.
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