Elon Musk Shuts Down TikTok Acquisition Talks Amid U.S. Government Pressure
Musk: “I Have Not Put in a Bid for TikTok”
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has clarified that he has no intention of acquiring TikTok, despite growing speculation regarding the platform’s uncertain future in the United States.
During a virtual appearance at The WELT Group’s summit, Musk directly addressed the rumors, stating, “I have not put in a bid for TikTok.”
His comments came just a week after Donald Trump suggested Musk as a potential buyer for the ByteDance-owned social media app, which is facing regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. over national security concerns.
Why Musk Isn’t Interested in TikTok
Musk admitted that he does not personally use TikTok and is unfamiliar with its format, reinforcing that he has no interest in managing the platform.
He further noted that acquiring companies is rare for him. “I don’t acquire companies in general—it’s quite rare,” he explained, adding that his $44 billion Twitter (X) takeover was an exception rather than the norm.
“I usually build companies from scratch,” Musk emphasized, highlighting his preference for founding and developing businesses like Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink rather than purchasing existing ones.
TikTok Faces Mounting Challenges in the U.S.
The U.S. government has been pressuring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or risk being banned over data security concerns.
Although TikTok has repeatedly denied allegations that it shares user data with the Chinese government, U.S. lawmakers remain skeptical.
With Apple and Google yet to restore TikTok to their app stores, the platform has found an alternative route—allowing U.S. Android users to download the app via package kits on its website.
Meanwhile, Trump’s stance on TikTok has evolved. While he previously pushed for a ban, he now acknowledges its impact on young voters, stating he has “a warm spot in my heart for TikTok.”
As ByteDance maintains its position against selling, the app’s future in the U.S. remains a subject of debate.
