China's TikTok said recent reports that ByteDance is considering a sale to Elon Musk are “complete fiction.” TikTok is scheduled to be banned in the then-U.S. on Sunday.
A TikTok spokesperson said: “We cannot be expected to comment on pure fiction.” said variety after being asked for comment on reports that the Chinese Communist Party is prepared to facilitate the sale of the app to Musk to keep TikTok operating in the United States amid a possible ban by the U.S. government.
Monday, Bloomberg reported “Chinese authorities are considering the potential option for Elon Musk to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations” if the ban goes into effect in the U.S., he said.
As reported by Breitbart News, the Divest or Ban Act forces TikTok's parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance, to sell its stake in the app or it will be banned in the US on January 19th. That is what is required.
Bloomberg reports that Musk, who famously bought Twitter in 2022 and later renamed it to X, will “take control of TikTok US and run the business jointly with the SpaceX CEO's social media platform.” He is referring to “one scenario'' that the Chinese government is said to have discussed. .
The media added: “It is unclear whether Musk, TikTok and ByteDance have had any discussions regarding the terms of a potential deal.”
Meanwhile, TikTok is seeking an emergency appeal to block the ban, and the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Friday. Ironically, Chinese companies argued that the law violated Americans' First Amendment rights.
But the Supreme Court justices appear more receptive to the U.S. government's argument that TikTok is a national security threat, given that TikTok's parent company is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party.
The ban is supported by U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who argue that putting TikTok under the control of the Chinese government gives the Chinese Communist Party the ability to spy on Americans and spread propaganda.
Meanwhile, Chinese officials argue that ByteDance's sale of its stake in TikTok means its technology will be exported to the United States.
Alana Mastrangelo is a reporter for Breitbart News. you can follow her facebook And with X @ARmastrangeloand further Instagram.
