United States: US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Microsoft is in discussions to acquire TikTok, expressing a desire to see a “bidding war” for the prevalent social media app. In response to reporters’ questions about the tech giant’s involvement, Trump stated that, “I would say yes,” adding that multiple organisations have shown great interest in purchasing the app.
This move persists with the pressure Trump and former President Joe Biden have exerted on TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US operations due to national security concerns. Despite the Biden Administration’s efforts to ban TikTok, Trump recently marked an executive order to delay the ban, giving the app’s 170 million US users a reprieve.
Trump had previously initiated discussions with potential buyers, including Microsoft, and emphasised the extent of keeping TikTok free from Chinese influence. He stated that, “If we can save all that voice and all the jobs, and China won’t be involved, we don’t desire China involved, but we’ll see what happens.”
While Microsoft has not remarked further on the situation, other notable figures, including businessman Frank McCourt and Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary, have also expressed interest in acquiring the app.
Additionally, the world’s most-followed YouTuber, Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, has claimed to be in the running for a potential TikTok purchase after acquiring investor interest. As the discussions continue, all eyes are on how the bidding process will unfold in the coming weeks.
MOST READ | DeepSeek AI disrupts global landscape; Challenges US tech dominance
