Elon Musk Not Interested in Purchasing TikTok

Elon Musk has made it clear that he has no interest in acquiring TikTok, despite recent speculations and remarks from former US President Donald Trump suggesting otherwise. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX has dismissed any intentions to take over the widely popular short-video platform, which has been facing potential bans in the United States due to concerns over national security.

Musk’s Statements on TikTok Acquisition

During a conference organized by Germany’s WELT Group in late January, Musk stated that he has not submitted a bid for TikTok. He revealed that he does not use the application and is unfamiliar with its format. Musk pointed out that he is not eager to acquire TikTok and explained that he rarely purchases companies. His recent acquisition of Twitter, which is now rebranded as X, was noted as an exception to his general approach of building companies from the ground up.

Concerns Surrounding TikTok

TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been under intense scrutiny in the United States due to fears that the Chinese government might access data belonging to American users. ByteDance has consistently denied these allegations. Earlier this year, the company was given a deadline to either sell TikTok’s assets in the US or face a nationwide ban. Trump, who previously attempted to enforce a ban on the app during his first term, has signed an executive order to delay the enforcement of the ban. He has also suggested that a newly established sovereign wealth fund could potentially take over TikTok.

TikTok’s Current Status in the US

Following the enforcement of a US law restricting the app, both Apple and Google have not restored TikTok in their respective app stores. In light of this, TikTok has begun allowing Android users in the US to download the app directly via its website. Trump has indicated that he is in talks with several parties regarding the possible sale of TikTok and anticipates reaching a decision this month. The platform boasts approximately 170 million users in the United States, with Trump recently crediting TikTok as a significant factor in winning over young voters for the upcoming 2024 election. Despite these developments, ByteDance has denied any plans to divest TikTok and has refrained from commenting on the latest news.