Trump open to TikTok purchase offers: Here are the leading contenders
President Donald Trump has signaled his openness to a U.S. investor purchasing a major stake in ByteDance’s TikTok, offering a potential lifeline to the popular social media app. This development comes after Trump delayed a looming ban on TikTok, aiming to navigate legal and geopolitical hurdles while preserving the app’s vast U.S. user base.
Under a proposed framework, an American investor would acquire TikTok and sell a 50% stake to the U.S. government, which would oversee the platform alongside the private buyer. As discussions heat up, several high-profile names have emerged as potential buyers.
Elon Musk: Controversial front-runner
The billionaire owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter) has been flagged as a top contender. According to analysts, Musk’s strong ties with China and his opposition to banning TikTok make him a logical choice. Reports suggest that ByteDance and Musk have been exploring this possibility, although his existing ownership of X could raise antitrust concerns.
Nat Schindler, an analyst at Scotiabank, noted that Musk’s foray into social media demonstrates his interest in platforms like TikTok. However, given the political and legal scrutiny surrounding Musk, such a deal could face significant hurdles.
Larry Ellison and Oracle: A strategic fit
Another strong contender is Larry Ellison, Chairman of Oracle and a longtime Trump ally. Oracle already operates as a cloud infrastructure provider for TikTok, positioning the company as a natural fit.
Ellison previously bid for TikTok in partnership with Walmart in 2020. This time, he could leverage Oracle’s existing ties with ByteDance to solidify a deal. Trump’s public endorsement of Ellison as a potential buyer further strengthens Oracle’s position.
Big players with big money
Beyond Musk and Ellison, major technology and social media players, including Meta and Google, are likely to consider bids. Analysts estimate TikTok’s valuation at $40–$80 billion, requiring any buyer to bring significant financial resources.
Investment firms like BlackRock, Coatue, and General Atlantic—already stakeholders in ByteDance—may also participate. These firms, along with hedge funds and VCs like Tiger Global, are expected to play a role in structuring any deal.
Unconventional contenders: MrBeast and the people’s bid
Social media influencer MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) has thrown his hat in the ring, reportedly exploring investment opportunities with billionaire backers. While his bid remains speculative, his interest reflects the widespread appeal of TikTok’s user base.
Meanwhile, “The People’s Bid for TikTok,” led by Project Liberty founder Frank McCourt and investor Kevin O’Leary, has offered $20 billion in cash. The group proposes a decentralized social networking protocol to replace TikTok’s original algorithm, a unique approach in the bidding war.
Legal and political barriers
Despite the growing interest, legal challenges loom large. Trump’s executive order delaying TikTok’s ban conflicts with the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA). Given ongoing trade negotiations with the US, Beijing’s approval for any divestiture by ByteDance also remains uncertain.
