New York CNN —
The Chinese government may be open to Elon Musk owning a portion of TikTok’s US assets to avoid a ban, signaling a shift in China’s stance on the issue. Reports suggest that discussions are underway for Musk’s X to acquire part of the app, although no official confirmation has been provided.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, and Musk have not commented on these reports. However, the possible sale could benefit ByteDance by earning revenue before losing access to the US market and offering China leverage in future negotiations with the US.
In light of Musk’s financial resources and connection to China through Tesla, the acquisition of TikTok could be mutually beneficial for all parties involved. However, challenges such as funding the acquisition and user acceptance under new ownership remain.
Despite potential obstacles, Musk’s ties to Chinese officials and his influence on social media could make him a prime candidate for brokering a deal that satisfies all stakeholders. His acquisition of TikTok would provide X with a major boost in users and valuable data for artificial intelligence development.
User reactions to the news vary, with some expressing excitement while others voice concerns about Musk’s controversial track record with social media platforms. This mixed sentiment could impact the success of a potential TikTok acquisition by Musk.