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US President Donald Trump has said he is open to the owner of Tesla and the platform X, Elon Musk, buying TikTok.
TikTok was recently banned in the United States because of national security concerns linked to its Chinese ownership.
The ban, which started on Sunday, temporarily shut down the app, leaving over 170 million US users without access.
As part of the ban, TikTok was also removed from Apple and Google’s app stores to follow federal rules.
On his first day in office, Trump signed an order to delay the ban for 75 days, allowing TikTok to start working again.
Speaking to reporters after signing the order, Trump suggested that the US should get 50% of any money made from the potential sale of TikTok in a joint business deal.
Trump said, “I have met with the owners of TikTok, the big owners. So, what I am thinking about saying to somebody is ‘buy it and give half to the United States of America.”
He further warned China against interfering in the sale, labelling any obstruction as “hostile” and threatening tariffs of up to 100 per cent.
When a reporter asked during a press briefing if he was open to Musk buying the platform, Trump said yes and also mentioned Larry Ellison, Oracle’s co-founder, as another possible buyer.
“I would be if he (Musk) wanted to buy it. I’d like Larry to buy it, too. I have the right to make a deal. The deal I think is this. TikTok is worthless if it doesn’t get a US permit. With a permit, it’s worth like a trillion dollars.
“So what I’m thinking about saying to somebody is ‘buy it and give half to the United States of America and we’ll give you a permit and you’ll have a great partner in the United States and they’ll have something that is more valuable because they have the ultimate partner in the United States,” Trump said.
