Elon Musk Dismisses Speculation About Acquiring TikTok Amid U.S. Government Pressure

Billionaire Elon Musk has firmly rejected recent speculation about his interest in acquiring TikTok, the popular short-video app owned by ByteDance. Musk’s comments come in the wake of growing pressure from the U.S. government on ByteDance, urging the company to sell its U.S. assets due to national security concerns.

Musk Clarifies His Stance on TikTok

In a statement shared by The WELT Group, a part of the German media company Axel Springer SE, Musk clarified that he has no intention of purchasing TikTok. His remarks follow suggestions from U.S. President Donald Trump in January, who expressed that Musk might consider buying the app. Musk stated, “I’m not chomping at the bit to acquire TikTok” and emphasized that he does not use the platform personally, nor is he familiar with its format. He also explained that his acquisition of Twitter, now rebranded as X, was an unusual exception, and that he typically prefers to build companies from the ground up.

TikTok’s Struggles in the U.S. Amid National Security Concerns

Musk’s comments come at a time when TikTok faces intense scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers who are concerned about the potential national security risks posed by its Chinese ownership. The U.S. government has been pushing ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations, or face a potential ban, over fears that China could access and misuse American user data. TikTok has consistently denied these claims, asserting that it does not share U.S. user data with China.

In an effort to bypass ongoing restrictions, TikTok recently began offering U.S. Android users the ability to download the app through direct package kits from its website, as major app stores like Apple and Google have not reinstated TikTok in their marketplaces.

Uncertain Future for TikTok in the U.S.

Despite ByteDance’s previous denial of any plans to sell TikTok, the debate about the app’s future in the U.S. continues. President Trump, who signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of the TikTok ban, has expressed a willingness to engage in discussions about the potential acquisition of the app. Interestingly, Trump has also expressed support for TikTok, acknowledging its role in helping him connect with young voters during the 2024 presidential election.

As U.S. authorities continue to weigh security concerns against TikTok’s massive popularity—boasting around 170 million American users—the app’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. For more technology news and the latest updates on Karmasangsthan and career opportunities, you can visit the online news portal