Billionaires Approach MrBeast to Buy TikTok

Summary

• MrBeast has expressed interest in saving TikTok from a US ban, and a group of billionaires is reportedly in discussions to make this happen.
• The potential sale of TikTok is complicated by ByteDance's reluctance and possible Chinese government intervention, yet discussions continue.
• Concerns over TikTok's data sharing with China led to the ban, but the feasibility of the app's sale and a US-based takeover remains uncertain.

MrBeast, the popular YouTuber, has publicly expressed a desire to save TikTok from being banned in the United States. His interest has sparked conversations with a group of billionaires who are seriously considering turning this idea into reality. As the deadline for TikTok's operations in the US approaches, the urgency to find a solution is intensifying.

TikTok's immense popularity has not shielded it from scrutiny. In April 2024, President Biden signed a bill that forces TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to either cease operations in the US or sell the American portion of its business. Despite ByteDance's initial reluctance to sell, the looming ban deadline has reignited discussions about potential solutions.

On January 14, MrBeast tweeted about the possibility of buying TikTok to prevent its shutdown by the January 19 deadline. While some may have interpreted this as a jest, MrBeast followed up with another tweet stating that several billionaires have contacted him to explore the feasibility of this plan. Though he did not disclose their identities, MrBeast is now actively looking into making this a reality.

Could MrBeast Save TikTok?

Theoretically, if TikTok's US operations were managed by a US-based entity, the app could continue to operate in the country. The primary concern driving the ban is the potential for data shared through TikTok to be accessed by the Chinese government, which could also be used to spread misinformation. The Department of Justice has raised alarms about the harvesting of data from minors. However, the critical issue remains whether ByteDance is willing to sell.

Despite ongoing discussions about purchasing the app, it's unclear if a sale will materialize, even with significant financial offers. ByteDance's lawyer, Noel Francisco, has stated that the app is not for sale and that any sale attempts might be blocked by the Chinese government. While ByteDance previously considered selling its stake in TikTok to avoid a ban, their stance appears to have shifted. The idea of MrBeast and a consortium of billionaires pooling their resources to acquire TikTok is intriguing, but it remains to be seen if ByteDance—and potentially the Chinese government—will agree to a deal.