Report of possible sale to Musk ‘pure fiction,’ says TikTok
TikTok has dismissed as “pure fiction” a recent report suggesting that China is considering allowing the sale of the social media platform’s US operations to Elon Musk.
The response came after Bloomberg reported that Chinese officials might explore this option if the US Supreme Court upholds a looming ban on the app.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on a law requiring TikTok to either divest its US operations by January 19 or face a nationwide ban.
TikTok has consistently maintained that it has no intention of selling its US operations.
“We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok spokesperson told BBC News.
Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that one possible scenario being considered by Chinese officials would see Musk’s X social media platform take control of TikTok’s US operations.
X did not immediately reply to a BBC request for comment.
Musk is a close ally of US president-elect Donald Trump, who is set to return to the White House on January 20.
Last month, Trump urged the Supreme Court to postpone its decision until after he assumes office, so he can pursue a “political resolution.”
His lawyer submitted a legal brief to the court, stating that Trump “opposes banning TikTok” and “wants the opportunity to address the issues through political means once in office.”
This request came a week after Trump met with TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
On Monday, two Democratic lawmakers, Senator Edward Markey and Representative Ro Khanna, called on Congress and President Joe Biden to extend the January 19 deadline.
During a Supreme Court hearing last week, justices seemed inclined to uphold the legislation and maintain the deadline.
Over the course of nearly three hours of arguments, the justices repeatedly focused on the national security concerns that prompted the law.
The Biden administration has argued that without a sale, TikTok could be exploited by China for espionage and political manipulation.
The company has consistently denied any influence from the Chinese Communist Party, asserting that the proposed ban infringes on users’ First Amendment rights to free speech.