Elon Musk has said he does not plan to buy TikTok, despite speculation and political pressure surrounding the app’s future in the United States. The billionaire confirmed his stance during a virtual appearance at a summit hosted by The WELT Group, a German media company.
Musk Dismisses TikTok Acquisition Talks
Musk made it clear that he is not interested in purchasing TikTok. “I have not put in a bid for TikTok,” he said. His comments came a week after former U.S. President Donald Trump said he was open to Musk taking over the app from its Chinese owner, ByteDance.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said he does not use TikTok and is not familiar with its format. “I don’t have any plans for what I would do if I had TikTok,” he added.
U.S. Government Pushes for TikTok Sale
The U.S. government has pressured ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets, citing national security concerns. Lawmakers fear that China could force ByteDance to share user data, but TikTok has denied these claims.
ByteDance had until January 2025 to sell TikTok or face a possible ban. However, Trump, who is running for president again, recently took a different stance. He has said he now has “a warm spot in my heart for TikTok” and credited the app for helping him connect with young voters.
TikTok’s Future in the U.S.
With about 170 million U.S. users, TikTok remains one of the most popular social media platforms. But its future in the country is uncertain.
Apple and Google have not reinstated TikTok in their app stores since new U.S. restrictions took effect. However, TikTok has found a workaround. The company now lets Android users download the app directly from its website.
Meanwhile, Trump has said he is speaking with multiple people about TikTok’s future. He expects to make a decision this month.
Musk’s Business Strategy
Musk made it clear that he rarely buys companies. “I usually build companies from scratch,” he said. He described his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter (now called X) as unusual.
His remarks suggest that he prefers starting companies rather than buying existing ones. This approach has helped him lead companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink.
A New U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund?
In a surprising move, President Joe Biden recently signed an executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund within a year. This fund could potentially buy TikTok.
ByteDance has previously denied any plans to sell the app. However, with U.S. lawmakers pushing for change, the company may have to decide soon.
Elon Musk has no plans to buy TikTok, despite speculation. The U.S. government continues to pressure ByteDance, but TikTok insists it does not share user data with China.
As Trump and other officials debate TikTok’s future, millions of American users wait to see if they will still have access to the app.