The future of TikTok remains uncertain as a host of influential figures and corporations express their interest in purchasing the platform. At the heart of the conversation is the political tension surrounding TikTok’s ties to China and its perceived national security risks. With the Biden administration’s decision to impose a January deadline for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the platform or face a ban in the United States, the issue has become a high-stakes battle that intertwines business interests and political maneuvering.
One of the most unexpected figures to enter the race is Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, a social media creator with tens of millions of followers. Donaldson shared a video with his followers, revealing his enthusiasm about the possibility of becoming TikTok’s new CEO. In his post, which quickly went viral with over 73 million views, he promised an unpredictable future for TikTok if his bid were successful, even offering $10,000 to five lucky new followers. While Donaldson did not reveal specific details about his offer, his words and the excitement surrounding them sparked widespread speculation about what direction he might take the platform in. However, he is not the only individual or group showing interest in acquiring TikTok, and his involvement only adds to the growing competition for the platform.
Alongside Donaldson, former President Donald Trump has also shown a keen interest in TikTok’s future. Trump has floated the idea of a joint venture, where a U.S. entity would acquire a 50% stake in the platform, which he believes would help maintain TikTok’s operational status while addressing national security concerns. Trump’s suggestion hinges on the idea that such an arrangement would enable the platform to stay operational in the U.S. under American control, which is seen as a way to mitigate concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ties. However, Trump’s proposal raises questions about the practicality of such an ownership structure, especially in light of the national security concerns that led to the Biden administration’s efforts to force ByteDance to sell the platform.
In parallel, Elon Musk, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has made clear his opposition to a potential TikTok ban. Musk, who is also the world’s richest man, believes that the current state of affairs—where TikTok operates freely in the U.S., but X is banned in China—is unbalanced. In a series of posts on X, Musk suggested that something needs to change to bring a more equitable balance between the two platforms. His interest in TikTok’s acquisition stems not only from his alignment with Trump’s political views but also from his broader vision of unifying the global social media ecosystem. Musk’s past business dealings with China, as well as his close relationship with Trump, make him a strong contender in the ongoing race to secure control of TikTok.
Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, is another prominent figure associated with TikTok’s potential acquisition. Oracle, which has long been a key service provider for TikTok, manages many of the platform’s data centers and serves as its primary cloud computing partner. Ellison, who has supported Trump for years, could use his influence and resources to attempt a buyout of the platform, especially given Oracle’s long-standing involvement with TikTok. However, Ellison’s previous efforts to acquire the platform in 2020 under Trump’s administration were unsuccessful, and it remains unclear whether he will push for another acquisition this time around. Oracle’s position as one of TikTok’s critical infrastructure partners places Ellison in a unique position to potentially lead a bid, though the political implications of such a move are still uncertain.
Adding another layer of complexity is Frank McCourt, a billionaire investor who has also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok. McCourt, who founded the Project Liberty Institute, is particularly focused on the transparency of social media operations and has been outspoken about the data collection practices of many major tech companies. Through Project Liberty, McCourt aims to acquire TikTok without its proprietary algorithm, which he claims would allow the platform to operate independently of its Chinese origins. This approach, while distinctive, also raises questions about the viability of such a plan, particularly considering how integral TikTok’s algorithm is to its success.
The growing number of suitors for TikTok points to the complexity of the situation, which is further compounded by the political landscape. President Trump is likely to play a key role in determining which buyer will ultimately secure the platform, with experts suggesting that the winner will likely be someone whose views align with Trump’s. Professor Anupam Chander, a law professor at Georgetown University, has argued that the current situation places too much power in the hands of political figures, which could lead to unintended consequences for both TikTok and the broader tech industry. Some critics of the situation argue that the law, which gives the president substantial influence over the platform’s future, was a mistake, and that the fate of such a widely-used platform should not be left to political whims.
As the deadline for ByteDance to sell the platform draws near, the future of TikTok remains uncertain. While the platform continues to grow in popularity, attracting millions of users around the world, the intense political and business maneuvering surrounding its ownership raises questions about its long-term viability. Whether TikTok will remain under Chinese control, be sold to an American buyer, or face a new chapter under a completely different owner remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the outcome of this acquisition process could shape the future of social media and geopolitics for years to come. The influence of figures like Musk, MrBeast, Ellison, and McCourt will be felt long after the platform’s sale, and their bids reflect the larger global struggle over digital sovereignty and control of the world’s most popular apps.
