TikTok Denies Report It’s Selling Platform To Elon Musk: ‘Pure Fiction’

TikTok Denies Report It’s Selling Platform To Elon Musk: ‘Pure Fiction’

TikTok has dismissed as “pure fiction” a Bloomberg report claiming Chinese officials are exploring a potential sale of the app’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk amid a looming government ban. The report suggested Elon Musk’s platform X could take control of TikTok if ByteDance is forced to divest its stake due to a new U.S. law set to take effect on January 19.

TikTok and its parent company are appealing the ban, arguing it violates First Amendment rights, but the U.S. Supreme Court has shown support for the government’s national security concerns. Beijing-based ByteDance has denied plans to sell its 40% stake in TikTok and previously indicated any forced sale would be blocked due to technology export restrictions.

U.S. lawmakers continue to cite security risks from TikTok’s Chinese ownership.