Social media platform TikTok has refuted reports that China is exploring the sale of the app’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk, calling the claims “pure fiction.”
The rumors originated from a Bloomberg report suggesting Chinese officials were evaluating Musk’s acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. assets to circumvent a potential ban under U.S. legislation set to take effect on January 19.
The report, which cited anonymous sources, claims that Musk’s history of successful business dealings in China and his relationship with Beijing make him a favorable candidate for such a deal.
“We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok spokesperson told Variety.
The U.S. government has raised concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership, citing national security risks. Lawmakers have said they fear the app could lead to data misuse, surveillance, or propaganda.
Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act last year, requiring TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to divest its TikTok stake or face a nationwide ban.
TikTok has appealed the law to the Supreme Court, noting how the ban violates the First Amendment rights of its 170 million U.S. users.
On January 10, the Supreme Court heard TikTok’s emergency appeal, but appeared more receptive to the government’s position.
If the ban proceeds, Apple, Google, and web hosting providers must block TikTok’s distribution in the U.S. unless ByteDance complies with the law.
Musk, Misinformation, and Crypto Ties
Speculation linking Musk to a TikTok acquisition has triggered discussions about his influence in tech and politics.
Since acquiring X, formerly Twitter, in 2022 for $44 billion, Musk has wielded the platform to sway public sentiment, including in the political and crypto spaces.
Notably, his tweets and endorsements have fueled sentiment around cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin (DOGE), which saw significant price surges tied to his comments.
During the 2024 presidential election, Musk’s posts reportedly amplified election misinformation, with a Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) report flagging at least 87 of his posts as false or misleading.
Musk’s connection with President-elect Donald Trump, the Republican candidate in the 2024 election, also set off concerns.
The billionaire used Twitter to share Trump’s campaign narratives It also led the Dogecoin price to a three-year high when Musk teased the establishment of a Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) under the President-elect’s administration.
TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance as the ban deadline approaches. For now, the platform continues its battle to maintain access for millions of American users.
Edited by Stacy Elliott.
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