On January 22, 2025, during a press conference in front of notable tech leaders, former President Donald Trump expressed openness to Elon Musk or Larry Ellison purchasing TikTok. Trump proposed that if one of his associates bought the platform, they could negotiate to give half of the proceeds to the united states in exchange for operational permits.
- Trump supports Musk or Ellison buying TikTok.
- Proposal to give half to the U.S.
- Ellison agrees with Trump's deal suggestion.
- ByteDance has multiple offers for TikTok.
- MrBeast's group seeks to acquire TikTok.
- Trump considers downloading TikTok app.
Trump’s comments came during a press conference where he was joined by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, SoftBank CEO Masa Son, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The event was focused on a significant $500 billion investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Trump’s proposal included a public negotiation with Ellison, suggesting that the buyer could partner with the U.S. government for regulatory approval.
Ellison responded positively to Trump’s suggestion, indicating that it sounded like a good deal. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is currently evaluating multiple offers, including bids from billionaire Frank McCourt and YouTube creator MrBeast, who is reportedly receiving legal assistance from individuals connected to Trump’s previous administration.
As the press conference concluded, a reporter inquired whether Trump had TikTok installed on his phone. Trump admitted he did not but expressed interest in downloading the app, highlighting a personal connection to the platform despite his previous criticisms of it.
In summary, Trump’s willingness to let Musk or Ellison buy TikTok reflects ongoing discussions about the platform’s future in the U.S. market, amid various competing offers and regulatory considerations.
