Curious about TikTok’s future in the United States as the app faces a looming ban? With ByteDance under pressure to divest ownership by mid-January or see TikTok banned, recent developments have drawn attention. Reports of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew reaching out to tech mogul Elon Musk have sparked speculation about efforts to navigate the app’s uncertain fate.
So, why is TikTok engaging with Musk? Here’s everything you need to know about the ban, the potential role of Musk in these discussions, and what this means for the app’s millions of U.S. users.
TikTok CEO reportedly reaches out to Elon Musk amidst US ban
The CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, has reportedly reached out to Elon Musk to discuss the potential U.S. ban on the platform. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, faces a mid-January deadline to divest from the app or face prohibition. Musk, a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, could provide insights into the new administration’s tech policy. Sources indicate their discussions have covered broad topics, including potential regulatory challenges under Trump.
Earlier this year, President Joe Biden signed a law mandating a TikTok ban unless ByteDance divests ownership. The move cites national security concerns due to the app’s Chinese origins. TikTok responded with a federal lawsuit, claiming the ban violates users’ free speech rights. These developments increase the urgency for Chew to secure TikTok’s future in the U.S., one of its largest markets. Musk, as the owner of rival platform X and a key figure in tech, is seen as influential with the incoming administration.
ByteDance sees Musk’s involvement as a way to navigate the challenging political climate, given his ties to Trump. Critics, however, worry that Musk’s stake in X may lead to biased advice not in TikTok’s favor. Musk’s influence on Trump’s tech policies could heavily affect TikTok’s chances of staying active in the U.S. under the new administration.
As the January deadline approaches, TikTok’s outreach to Musk underscores the platform’s high-stakes effort to mitigate geopolitical risks while safeguarding its operations. Whether this dialogue will bear fruit or further complicate the tech giant’s challenges remains uncertain.
