By Kolawole Ojebisi
Social media platform, TikTok, has described as “pure fiction” the report making the rounds that Chinese officials are considering the sale of its United States operations to the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tesla, Elon Musk.
Tiktok made this categorical denial while responding to a Bloomberg report which alleged that such a move might be an option if the US Supreme Court upholds a looming ban on the app.
“We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok spokesperson told BBC News.
The Supreme Court is set to rule on a law requiring TikTok to sell its US operations by 19 January or face a ban in the country.
Despite the ongoing legal challenge, TikTok has repeatedly stated its refusal to sell its US operations.
Bloomberg’s report, citing unnamed sources, suggested that one scenario under consideration by Chinese officials could see Musk’s social media platform, X, take over TikTok’s US business.
As a close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, Musk’s ties have sparked speculation about his role in resolving the matter.
Trump, who will return to the White House on 20 January, recently urged the Supreme Court to delay its decision until he takes office, aiming to seek a “political resolution.”
In a legal brief, Trump’s lawyer stated that the president-elect “opposes banning TikTok” and wants to address the issue through political means.
Trump’s position appears to have been bolstered by a recent meeting with TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, at Mar-a-Lago. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers Senator Edward Markey and Representative Ro Khanna have called for an extension of the 19 January deadline.
During a Supreme Court hearing last week, justices appeared likely to uphold the legislation. National security concerns dominated the nearly three-hour session, with the Biden administration arguing that TikTok poses risks of espionage and political manipulation if it remains under Chinese ownership.
TikTok has consistently denied any influence by the Chinese Communist Party, asserting that the proposed ban violates its users’ First Amendment rights.
