"Billionaires Contact MrBeast to Buy TikTok"

Summary

• MrBeast has expressed interest in saving TikTok from a potential US ban, and a group of billionaires is reportedly discussing ways to make this happen.
• TikTok's potential sale faces hurdles due to ByteDance's reluctance and possible Chinese government intervention, yet discussions continue.
• The ban on TikTok stems from concerns about data sharing with China, but the feasibility of selling the app and establishing a US-based operation remains uncertain.

MrBeast has voiced his desire to prevent TikTok from being banned in the US, and a group of billionaires has reportedly engaged in talks with the entrepreneur to explore this possibility. As the deadline for TikTok's potential shutdown in the US approaches, various stakeholders are actively seeking solutions to avert the ban.

TikTok's immense popularity is undeniable, but its Chinese origins have raised significant concerns among US lawmakers, leading President Biden to sign a bill in April 2024 that requires TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to either cease operations in the US or sell its US business. Despite ByteDance's recent reluctance to sell, the looming deadline has spurred renewed efforts to find a way to keep the app operational.

On January 14, MrBeast tweeted about his interest in purchasing TikTok to prevent its shutdown by the January 19 deadline, initially perceived by some as a jest. However, he later revealed that multiple billionaires have reached out to him about turning this idea into reality. Although he did not name the billionaires involved, MrBeast confirmed that he is seriously considering the proposal.

Could MrBeast Save TikTok?

If TikTok's US operations were managed by a US-based entity, it might be possible to circumvent the ban. The primary concern driving the ban is the potential for data shared through the app to be accessed by the Chinese government, including information from underage users, as alleged by the DOJ. The challenge, however, lies in ByteDance's willingness to sell.

Despite ongoing discussions about purchasing TikTok, ByteDance's lawyer, Noel Francisco, has stated that the app is not for sale and that any sale attempts might be blocked by the Chinese government. Although ByteDance previously considered selling its stake in TikTok to avoid a ban, their stance has seemingly shifted. The idea of MrBeast and a consortium of billionaires pooling their resources to buy TikTok is intriguing, but it remains uncertain whether ByteDance and the Chinese government would agree to such a transaction.