14-1-2025 (WASHINGTON) Fresh controversy has engulfed the social media landscape as TikTok forcefully denied reports suggesting Chinese authorities were contemplating a proposal to sell its American operations to tech mogul Elon Musk, as the platform faces potential prohibition in the United States.
The speculation, which emerged in financial circles yesterday, was swiftly dismissed by TikTok representatives, who described it as “pure fiction”. The rumoured proposal had suggested a potential joint operational structure between TikTok’s US division and Musk’s X platform, formerly Twitter.
The development comes at a crucial juncture as the US Supreme Court deliberates on legislation that could effectively terminate TikTok’s presence in American markets. The bipartisan measure, enacted in April last year, mandates the platform’s sale by 19 January or face a nationwide ban, though existing users might retain limited access.
American lawmakers have consistently voiced concerns regarding potential data security risks, suggesting ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, could be compelled to share user information with Beijing’s authorities. TikTok’s legal team has challenged these assertions, arguing the legislation infringes upon First Amendment rights.
Market analysts estimate TikTok’s American operations could command between $40 billion to $50 billion. However, questions persist about Musk’s capacity to finance such an acquisition, given his outstanding financial obligations from the $44 billion Twitter purchase in 2022.
The platform’s significance in American social media cannot be understated, with recent Pew Research data indicating one-third of US adults regularly engage with TikTok, including an impressive 60% of young adults aged 18-29.
