Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has confirmed that he has no interest in acquiring TikTok’s US operations amid ongoing legal battles over the platform’s ownership.
Speaking via videolink at a forum in Germany, Musk stated, “I’ve not put in a bid for TikTok, and I don’t have any plans for what I would do if I had TikTok.” His comments, made in late January, were released over the weekend.
The popular social media platform is under pressure due to a US law requiring it to separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban over national security concerns related to data privacy.
President Donald Trump had previously ordered a pause on enforcing the law, delaying TikTok’s potential ban. Shortly after, Trump expressed openness to Musk acquiring the platform, but Musk dismissed any interest in such a deal.
“I don’t use TikTok personally, so I’m not that familiar with it,” Musk added. “I’m not eager to acquire TikTok.”
Musk, who acquired Twitter (now X) for $44 billion in 2022, has been a strong advocate for free speech. However, his leadership has been criticized for an increase in hate speech and misinformation on the platform.
As one of Trump’s key financial backers, Musk has played a major role in the administration’s budget-cutting initiatives, particularly through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to downsize federal agencies.
Recently, a US judge issued an emergency order blocking Musk’s team from accessing sensitive financial data stored at the US Treasury Department.
During the German forum, Musk also criticized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, calling them “racism rebranded.” His stance aligns with Trump’s administration, which has been actively dismantling DEI programs across government agencies.
Musk’s support for Germany’s far-right AfD party has also sparked controversy, as the group’s anti-immigration stance remains a sensitive issue due to Germany’s historical background.
Despite speculation, Musk has no interest in acquiring TikTok, as he continues to focus on X, Tesla, and his political influence. Meanwhile, TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain, with legal battles ongoing over its ownership and national security risks.
