MrBeast Has Had Billionaires Reach Out to Him About Buying TikTok

MrBeast's ambitious bid to rescue TikTok from a US ban has sparked significant interest, with discussions involving a group of billionaires reportedly underway. However, the potential sale of TikTok remains complex, hampered by ByteDance's reluctance and the looming threat of Chinese government intervention.

The US ban, stemming from concerns about TikTok's data sharing practices with China, necessitates either a shutdown of US operations or a sale to a US-based entity. While ByteDance initially considered a sale, its current stance appears resistant. The approaching ban deadline, however, has reignited discussions about preventing TikTok's demise.

MrBeast's January 14th tweet suggesting a personal purchase to avert the January 19th deadline initially seemed playful. Subsequent tweets, however, revealed contact from multiple billionaires exploring the feasibility of this audacious plan. While names remain undisclosed, MrBeast is reportedly actively pursuing this unconventional solution.

Can MrBeast Actually Save TikTok?

Theoretically, a US-based ownership could resolve the national security concerns driving the ban. The primary worry centers on the potential transfer of user data—intentionally or unintentionally—to the Chinese government, or its use in spreading misinformation, including data allegedly collected from minors. The legality and ethics of such data collection are still being debated.

The major hurdle, however, is ByteDance's apparent unwillingness to sell. Reports indicate ByteDance's legal counsel has reiterated the app's non-sale status and the likelihood of Chinese government obstruction. While past willingness to sell existed, that stance has seemingly shifted. The collaborative effort proposed by MrBeast and the billionaire group presents a compelling, albeit uncertain, path forward, contingent on overcoming ByteDance's and potentially the Chinese government's resistance.