Jimmy Donaldson, famously known as MrBeast, enthusiastically shared with his millions of TikTok followers his bid to purchase the platform.
“I might become you guys’ new CEO! I’m super excited!” Donaldson announced from a private jet, promising $10,000 to five random new followers. His post has since garnered over 73 million views. While he kept the details of his bid under wraps, he assured fans, “Just know, it’s gonna be crazy.”
Donaldson is among several interested buyers vying for TikTok, the immensely popular social media app embroiled in a political controversy in the U.S.
In 2023, then-President Joe Biden signed a law requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by January 19 or face a U.S. ban. The law aimed to address national security concerns over TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government.
Former President Donald Trump has suggested a 50-50 ownership model for TikTok involving the U.S. government in its TikTok come back speech. “This would save TikTok and keep it operational,” he said on Truth Social. Trump also issued an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to continue its operations.
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Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that China was exploring selling TikTok to Elon Musk, who already owns X (formerly Twitter). Musk criticized the imbalance, noting that TikTok operates in America while X remains banned in China. Meta also tried to convince people in USA to leave TikTok.
Trump, when asked about Musk buying TikTok, responded positively. He also expressed support for Oracle chairman Larry Ellison, a longtime ally, as a potential buyer. Oracle, a key TikTok server provider, previously warned that banning the platform could harm its business.
Billionaire Frank McCourt, another potential buyer, has proposed a version of TikTok managed by his Project Liberty Institute, which excludes its proprietary algorithm. McCourt has criticized social media companies’ data practices, acknowledging that TikTok would be worth less without its algorithm.
Ultimately, the decision on TikTok’s buyer may rest heavily on Trump’s influence, according to Georgetown law professor Anupam Chander. The current legal framework, he noted, gives the president significant control over the sale.
For now, TikTok’s future remains uncertain, caught in the crossfire of business and politics.
