In a recent statement, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed openness to the idea of Elon Musk purchasing the popular social media platform TikTok, after it was temporarily shut down in the United States due to national security concerns over its Chinese ownership. The move, which was part of a federal ban enacted earlier this week, left millions of U.S. users without access to the app.
Trump’s comments came after signing an executive order delaying the enforcement of the ban by 75 days, allowing TikTok to resume operations for the time being. The president’s remarks on the potential sale of the platform were shared with the press shortly after the executive order was signed.
In his statement, Trump suggested that the U.S. government should receive 50 percent of the proceeds from any sale of TikTok in a joint venture. “I have met with the owners of TikTok, the big owners. So, what I’m thinking about saying to somebody is ‘buy it and give half to the United States of America,” Trump explained. He emphasized the importance of securing a U.S. permit for TikTok’s operation, stating that without such a permit, the app would be “worthless.”
Trump further added that if TikTok were granted the necessary permits, its value would skyrocket. “With a permit, it’s worth like a trillion dollars,” he remarked. The president then suggested that Tesla CEO Elon Musk could be a potential buyer, indicating that he would support Musk’s involvement in the deal. “I’d like Larry to buy it, too,” Trump said, although it was unclear who “Larry” referred to.
The president also highlighted the critical role of the U.S. government in any potential sale, stressing the value of having a strong partner in the United States. “You’ll have a great partner in the United States, and they’ll have something that is more valuable because they have the ultimate partner in the United States,” Trump added.
