A viral rumor circulating on social media recently claimed that Disney had purchased TikTok for $100 billion, fueling speculation about a major shift. The story suggested the deal was made to prevent the platform’s potential ban in the U.S., marking Disney’s biggest acquisition yet. However, this claim has since been debunked. While the story generated significant buzz, it turned out to be a fabrication from a satirical news site.
Let’s take a closer look at how this false report spread and what the truth is.
Did Disney buy TikTok?
A recent rumor that Disney acquired TikTok for $100 billion is making the rounds, but it’s not true. The claim first appeared in a December 7 article by Mouse Trap News. It is a satirical website known for publishing fake stories. According to the article, the acquisition was a response to a court ruling that TikTok must either be bought by a U.S. company or face a potential ban. The report suggested that Disney’s purchase would secure TikTok’s future. Additionally, it would be its largest deal ever, surpassing the 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
The satirical article even mentioned plans to introduce a paid, ad-free version of TikTok, much like Disney+. The story also claimed that Disney would not be held responsible for any deaths involving TikTok users in its theme parks. However, this story was completely false. Mouse Trap News is a known satire site, and its “About” page clearly states that it publishes parody content.
The article included an image of Disney CEO Bob Iger, likely to give the story more credibility. However, Disney has not made any official announcements regarding any deal with TikTok. Currently, there is no indication that Disney is involved in acquiring TikTok. So, it’s safe to dismiss this viral rumor as fiction.
