- TikTok recently temporarily went dark in the United States
- The app was restored at the eleventh hour via an executive order
- TikTok now has a 75-day extension to sell or comply with US law
Is Mr Beast buying TikTok? The popular video app has had a wild few days with plenty of twists and turns. However, if this recent rumor is true, it could signal even more surprises in the coming weeks.
Influencer and social media personality Mr Beast first displayed an interest in purchasing TikTok late last week when the app’s future was uncertain. Posting to his own TikTok channel, he told his 111.8 million followers “TikTok we mean business.
“We have an offer ready for you, we want to buy the platform… America deserves TikTok.”
Read more: Is there a petition to stop the TikTok ban?
Thankfully for influencers, TikTok’s stateside ban didn’t last too long – but that hasn’t deterred Mr Beast from wanting to become its new owner.
On 20 January, he posted a second video, this time from a private jet. He told fans he was on the way to a meeting to discuss purchasing the app.
Posting with the caption New TikTok CEO?, Mr Beast told viewers: “TikTok, I’m on a private jet right now about to put in my official offer for this platform. I might become your guys’s new CEO. I’m super excited.”
Read more: TikTokers share secrets ahead of ban in new trend
He continued, adding: “I wish I could say more about the offer I’m putting in but I can’t for now. Just know, it’s gonna be crazy.”
Will Mr Beast buy TikTok?
At the moment, it doesn’t look like Mr Beast has bought TikTok. However, if his latest TikTok video is to be believed then that could change in the coming days.
For all those who don’t use TikTok, the app has had an eventful week.
Just a few days ago, the Chinese-owned outlet went dark for all users in the United States after it failed to comply with laws related to national security. The Biden administration had argued that the app could be used as a tool for spying on the data of American citizens.
Its owner, Bytedance, had until 19 January to comply with these laws and sell itself to a new approved U.S. owner. After failing to do so, the app became inoperable for American users.
Is TikTok back in America?
Yes, TikTok has been restored to American users.
In the end, the ban only lasted a few hours after it was granted a 75-day extension by newly-appointed President Donald Trump. The order was made official during a batch of directive signings made by Trump late on Monday 20 January after his Presidential Inauguration.
Despite this reprieve, its future remains uncertain. The app still has to be sold to an approved American owner if it wants to continue being enjoyed by Americans. During a press conference on Monday 20 January, Trump briefly floated the idea of a 50-50 ownership agreement between the United States and TikTok creators ByteDance – but nothing has been made official yet.
With everything up in the air, there’s every chance that Mr Beast could swoop in and become TikTok’s new owner and CEO.
It wouldn’t be the first time a very wealthy person has adopted a social media platform. No one needs reminding that the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, bought Twitter in 2022, much to the dismay of its many users.
