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Chinese government officials are weighing the possibility of selling TikTok's US operations to Elon Musk, according to reports from Bloomberg News and CNBC. The discussions come as TikTok faces a January 19 deadline to cease US operations unless the Supreme Court intervenes.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the potential sale to Musk represents one of several options under consideration by senior Chinese officials. The sources emphasized that discussions remain preliminary, and it's unclear whether ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, has been informed of these contingency plans.
When reached for comment, a TikTok spokesperson dismissed the reports, stating "We can't be expected to comment on pure fiction". X, Musk's social media company, did not respond to requests for comment.
The situation stems from legislation signed by President Biden in April 2024, which received broad support from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. The administration maintains that ByteDance's control of TikTok poses national security risks, arguing that Chinese authorities could compel the company to share user data.
TikTok has consistently rejected these claims. In recent legal filings, the company pointed out that the administration "concedes that it has no evidence China has ever attempted to do so". Nevertheless, without Supreme Court intervention to lift or delay the ban, TikTok will be required to stop operating in the United States by January 19.
The Chinese government's reported consideration of Musk adds another layer to an already complex situation involving technology, national security, and international relations. Sources indicate that Chinese officials may discuss the matter with President-elect Trump, though the timing and nature of such talks remain uncertain.
Staff
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