Former President Donald Trump has officially signaled his support for a potential acquisition of TikTok by high-profile tech moguls Elon Musk or Larry Ellison, suggesting their involvement could facilitate a path forward for the app within the United States.
A Strategic Endorsement for TikTok’s Future
President Donald Trump has said he would be open to Tesla CEO Elon Musk or Oracle chairman Larry Ellison buying TikTok as part of a joint venture with the U.S. government.
During a press conference held this past Tuesday, Trump was directly questioned regarding his stance on a potential acquisition of the platform by the Tesla executive. He confirmed his openness to the move and explicitly added, “I’d like Larry to buy it, too.”
Regulatory Hurdles and Operational Delays
The administration’s latest maneuver involved signing an executive order on Monday, which effectively granted a 75-day extension to the looming TikTok ban deadline. Trump has instructed the Department of Justice to refrain from enforcing penalties associated with the ban during this window. Despite the app remaining operational for current users, it continues to be notably absent from major app stores.
The Proposed Government Stake
To preserve TikTok’s presence in the U.S. market, Trump is exploring a unique arrangement. The proposal centers on the government granting a formal operating permit to the company, provided that the United States receives a 50% stake in the entity.
“I have the right to make a deal,” Trump stated regarding the potential structure of the acquisition. “So what I’m thinking about saying to somebody is buy it and give half to the United States of America, half, and we’ll give you the permit.”
