TikTok rejects report it is mulling sale of US operation to Elon Musk’s X as ‘pure fiction’

TikTok has dismissed a report claiming it is considering the sale of its US business to Elon Musk, calling the suggestion “pure fiction.”

(Photo: Olivier Bergeron via Unsplash)

On Monday, Bloomberg reported that the Chinese-owned social media platform was looking at, among other options, selling its American operation to Musk’s X if it is banned in the US.

One scenario, according to Bloomberg, would see X assuming control of TikTok’s US operation and running it under the same umbrella. The business publication noted that it was “unclear” whether Musk, TikTok and its owner, ByteDance, have held discussions about a potential deal.

A representative for TikTok denied the rumour. “We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” they told C21.

The report comes less than a week before the January 19 deadline for TikTok’s US business to find a non-Chinese buyer. If it is unable to do so, it is likely to be banned.

The US Supreme Court appeared to indicate last week that it will uphold a law, passed last year by current US president Joe Biden, forcing TikTok to divest its American business. The law was initially passed over concerns that data and information about US users could be passed from ByteDance to the Chinese government.

President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, previously asked the Supreme Court to push back the January 19 deadline so that his incoming administration could review the merits of a ban.

For its part, TikTok argues that the ban would violate the free speech of more than 170 million Americans.