Reports indicate that Microsoft is in negotiations to acquire the American branch of TikTok from ByteDance, as stated by President Donald Trump. While aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed, “I would say yes. A lot of interest in TikTok. There’s great interest in TikTok,” suggesting that the tech corporation is seriously contemplating the purchase.
This situation corresponds with broader efforts aimed at addressing national security issues linked to TikTok’s operations within the United States. During a gathering with Republican lawmakers in Florida, Trump reaffirmed his position, saying, “We’re going to have a lot of individuals bidding on it, and if we can preserve all that voice and all the jobs, and China won’t be involved, we don’t want China involved.”
The prospective acquisition signifies Trump’s persistent demand for ByteDance to divest TikTok’s American operations or confront the threat of a prohibition. The app faced a temporary halt on January 19 but was allowed to recommence operations after Trump issued an executive order providing the platform with extra time to secure a buyer. However, users who had removed the app during the ban are still unable to recover it on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
In the meantime, other parties have shown interest, including AI startup Perplexity AI, which suggested merging with TikTok’s US operations to form a new entity where the US government could retain a 50% share. Additionally, there were rumors regarding Elon Musk potentially seeking a TikTok acquisition, although these have been mostly dismissed. Oracle is also recognized as a firm that may be exploring TikTok’s international operations.
As discussions advance, Microsoft’s prospective involvement could be crucial in steering the ongoing talks about TikTok’s future within the US, aiming to guarantee that the app’s operations comply with national security regulations while safeguarding jobs and ensuring user access.
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