Trump says Microsoft in talks to buy TikTok
Trump reveals Microsoft’s renewed interest in acquiring TikTok as the app faces pressure to sever ties with Chinese owner ByteDance over security issues.
[:en]Photo: Reuters[:]
US President Donald Trump told reporters that Microsoft (MSFT.O) is in talks to buy TikTok and that he would like to see a bidding war for the app. Microsoft declined to comment, reported by Reuters.
TikTok, which has about 170 million US users, was briefly shut down just before a new law took effect on Jan. 19. The law requires Chinese owner ByteDance to either sell it on national security grounds or face a ban.
TikTok, Tesla and Microsoft
Trump, who took office on Jan. 20, signed an executive order seeking a 75-day delay in the law. Trump said last week he was in talks with several people about buying TikTok and would likely make a decision on the future of the popular app in 30 days.
The US president has previously said he is willing to buy billionaire Elon Musk’s social media app if Tesla (TSLA.O) wants to do so. Musk has not publicly commented on Trump’s offer, however. Recently, artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI made a proposal on Sunday to merge with TikTok. The US government would receive up to half of the new company in the future.
TikTok bid
The talks are the second time Microsoft has been involved in a TikTok acquisition. During his first term, Trump ordered TikTok to separate its US version from ByteDance, citing national security concerns.
In 2020, Microsoft emerged as the top bidder, but the talks soon fell through, and the sale was halted a few months after Trump left office. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called the deal the “most extraordinary deal” he had ever worked on.
