Trump Open to Musk or Ellison Acquiring TikTok in Partnership with US Government

In a surprising turn of events at the White House, President Donald Trump expressed that he would support either tech moguls Elon Musk or Larry Ellison in acquiring the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, with a twist of a joint venture involving the US government. This proposal surfaced during an event with Ellison, raising eyebrows in international trade and tech communities.

Trump's proposition comes on the back of an extended deadline for TikTok's sale, established by his executive order, which extended the deadline by 75 days, aiming to address national security concerns linked with the app's Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Despite ByteDance's refusal to sell and complications concerning the authority of the extension, Trump underscored the potential high stakes involved, stating, "You have an asset that has no value or has a trillion-dollar value," all dependent on US approval.

The Chinese response to Trump's remarks has been cool, with spokespeople emphasizing that acquisition decisions should rest with businesses rather than be politically motivated. This stance suggests potential hurdles in negotiations, despite Beijing recognizing room for negotiation.

Meanwhile, American interest in TikTok remains high. Among potential buyers, a notable group led by Jesse Tinsley and including internet sensation MrBeast has come forward. Furthermore, engagements by renowned entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary and billionaire Frank McCourt signify serious American business interest in the platform, even if ByteDance's prized algorithm remains off the table.

Key figures like O’Leary see no obstacles in quick acquisition, proposing aggressive timelines and dispelling concerns about embedded spyware by sidelining the algorithm in the offer. His venture, along with other bids from significant players like Amazon and Oracle, highlights extensive U.S. corporate interest in TikTok's operational and commercial potential.

Interestingly, amidst discussing these significant potential shifts in ownership, Trump hinted at a personal soft spot for TikTok, attributing part of his political engagement to the platform's influence.

As the landscape of tech acquisitions continues to evolve, all eyes will remain on how these discussions unfold, reshaping the interactions between significant global powers in technology, politics, and commerce.