American YouTube sensation James Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has made headlines by expressing his interest in purchasing the popular video-sharing app TikTok. His comments came after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on January 10, 2025, regarding a law that mandates TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by January 19, 2025, or face a potential ban.
On his social media platform X, MrBeast jokingly said, “Okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.” This lighthearted offer comes in response to the ongoing discussions around the app’s potential shutdown in the U.S. due to national security concerns. The Biden administration has expressed fears that TikTok, with its ties to China, could be used for espionage or political manipulation, allegations that the platform has consistently denied.
Earlier reports had suggested that China might consider selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to billionaire Elon Musk, fueling a storm of speculation. However, TikTok swiftly dismissed the claim as “pure fiction.” A report by Bloomberg had indicated that Chinese officials were considering a sale of TikTok’s U.S. division, but TikTok denied these claims, stating, “We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction.”
In addition to these developments, former President Donald Trump, poised to return to office on January 20, 2025, has urged the Supreme Court to delay its decision on the matter. Trump’s legal team has expressed opposition to an outright ban, advocating for a political resolution. Speculation also arose after Trump reportedly met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in December.
As the deadline looms, the pressure is mounting on ByteDance to decide its next move. However, a sale seems unlikely, as ByteDance has made it clear it does not want to sell, citing concerns about losing TikTok’s valuable algorithm. Beijing has also strongly indicated it will not allow a forced sale, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
With national security concerns, political maneuvering, and potential buyers circling, the fate of TikTok remains uncertain as the January 19 deadline approaches.
