Is China Mulling Selling TikTok US Operations To Musk? The US Ban On TikTok And What Could Happen Next

Rumor has it that China might have a wild card up its sleeve—selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to none other than Elon Musk. Reports suggest that the Chinese government is mulling over this plan as a way to prevent the app from being banned in the U.S.

The clock is ticking for TikTok in the U.S., with the Supreme Court gearing up to decide the platform’s fate. At the heart of the issue is a law that demands TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, sell its U.S. operations by January 19—or face a nationwide ban. If ByteDance doesn’t comply, internet providers in the U.S. could face penalties for supporting TikTok.

So, what’s the backup plan? According to the latest reports, Musk might end up running TikTok’s U.S. business alongside his current baby, X (formerly Twitter). But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—this idea is still in the “what if” stage. There’s no confirmation yet from Beijing, ByteDance, or Musk himself.

It should be noted that a TikTok’s spokesperson dismissed the whole thing, calling it “pure fiction.” Fair enough.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is deep into the TikTok debate. The Biden administration argues that ByteDance’s ties to China are a national security risk. On the flip side, TikTok’s legal team claims banning the app would stomp on free speech for millions of U.S. users.

And then there’s Trump. While he once pushed hard for a TikTok ban, he’s now flip-flopping. Recently, he asked the Supreme Court to delay Biden’s ban, saying he needs time to work out a “political solution.” Could it be because of his February meeting with billionaire Jeff Yass, a major ByteDance investor? Maybe.

Why TikTok Is Facing a U.S. Ban and What Could Happen Next

The law stems from concerns over national security, with U.S. officials fearing that ByteDance’s ties to China could make TikTok a tool for espionage and political manipulation.

TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users and its vibrant community of content creators are at risk of losing access to one of the most popular social media platforms. The Supreme Court justices heard arguments from TikTok’s legal team and representatives of its creators, who claim the ban would violate free speech protections under the First Amendment.

TikTok argues that it operates independently of the Chinese Communist Party and denies any allegations of data misuse. ByteDance has made it clear—it won’t sell TikTok, despite mounting pressure.

What the Law Entails And The Legal Drama So Far

The legislation, supported by both Democrats and Republicans, doesn’t outright ban TikTok’s use. Instead, it targets tech giants like Apple and Google, requiring them to remove TikTok from their app stores and block updates. While this doesn’t immediately stop users from accessing the app, analysts believe it would lead to TikTok’s gradual decline in the U.S.

The government’s argument is straightforward: TikTok’s ownership by ByteDance poses a national security risk. Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth Prelogar told the court that Beijing could potentially “weaponize TikTok” against the U.S. at any time.

On the other side, TikTok’s lawyer, Noel Francisco, warned of the broader implications of the ban. He argued that prohibiting TikTok would set a dangerous precedent, allowing the government to restrict speech under the guise of national security. “The government cannot restrict speech in order to protect us from speech,” Francisco emphasized.

Creators also weighed in, asserting their right to use the platform of their choice. Jeffrey Fisher, representing TikTok creators, argued that ideological campaigns by foreign adversaries, while concerning, don’t justify trampling on constitutional rights.

The Supreme Court’s Concerns

During the nearly three-hour session, the justices struggled with the delicate balance between safeguarding national security and protecting free speech. Chief Justice John Roberts questioned whether TikTok’s ties to China could truly be ignored, while Justice Brett Kavanaugh stated the risks posed by the app’s extensive data collection.

When Could the App Be Banned, and Will Trump Step In to Save It?
Even as all eyes are on the Supreme Court as it deliberates whether to uphold a law that could see the app banned on January 19, could Donald Trump, set to return to the White House just a day later, play the role of TikTok’s unexpected savior?

Trump’s Take on TikTok

As mentioned above, in December, President-elect Donald Trump urged the court to delay its decision, his intervention added a dramatic twist to an already heated debate.

TikTok’s legal team has warned that without action, the platform will effectively “go dark” on January 19. But according to U.S. Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth Prelogar, that deadline doesn’t mean the end of the road. She argued that forcing TikTok to shut down could serve as the “jolt” ByteDance needs to seriously consider selling its U.S. operations.

Prelogar said, “It’s a game of chicken and the U.S. shouldn’t blink first.”

The Supreme Court’s Leanings

After Friday’s hearing, legal experts suggested the Supreme Court seemed inclined to side with the government. Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, pointed out that the Court has historically deferred to the government on matters of national security.

However, Jacob Hubert, president of the Liberty Justice Center, which represents content creators opposing the ban, said the case raises critical free speech concerns. “This isn’t about China’s or the Communist Party’s rights—it’s about the rights of Americans to use TikTok to connect and express themselves,” he emphasized.

The Voices of TikTok Creators

The potential ban has sparked an outcry from TikTok’s creator community, many of whom rely on the platform for their livelihoods. Chloe Joy Sexton, a TikTok creator and one of the plaintiffs in the case, spoke about the financial impact the ban could have on her and others.

“A TikTok ban would place women like me in real financial jeopardy,” Sexton said, emphasizing how the platform has given many creators, including mothers, a sense of financial independence.

TikTok’s Global Challenges

While TikTok faces a potential nationwide ban in the U.S., it’s already restricted on government devices in several countries, including the U.K. In India, the app has been completely banned for years, part of a broader crackdown on Chinese tech.

Last December, a three-judge appeals court upheld the law targeting TikTok, citing China’s history of leveraging private companies for its own purposes. The court called the measure a justified response to a “well-substantiated national security threat.”

The Last Bit

With the Supreme Court likely to rule in favor of the government, ByteDance faces immense pressure to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations. But will Trump’s return to power shift the narrative? His sudden interest in delaying the ban has left many speculating about his true motives, especially given his evolving stance on TikTok over the years.

As January 19 looms closer, TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains uncertain. Whether through a sale, a court decision, or a political maneuver, the next few days will be critical in determining whether TikTok continues to thrive—or becomes a casualty of geopolitics.

It’s anyone’s guess what will happen next. Will TikTok survive in the U.S.? Will Musk really swoop in to save the day?