The deadline for a potential TikTok ban in the US is fast approaching, with less than a week remaining. While no decision has been made yet, the company’s attempts to challenge the law that could result in its removal from Apple’s and Google’s app stores were not well received by the Supreme Court justices last week. If TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, want to remain in the US market, they may have only one option – to sell.
However, such a sale remains unlikely. ByteDance has firmly stated that it has no intention of selling TikTok in the US The app’s algorithm, which keeps users engaged, is central to its success, and the company has long worked to safeguard it. TikTok CEO Shou Chew has argued that separating US users could effectively “break” the app. Beijing has also suggested it would not approve a forced sale of TikTok.
Despite this, several potential buyers have emerged, eager for the opportunity to acquire the social media platform. Here are some of the leading contenders if TikTok were to become available for sale:
Elon Musk
According to a Reuters report, Chinese officials are considering a potential option to sell TikTok’s US operations to billionaire Elon Musk if the company fails to avoid a ban, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. While Chinese officials would prefer TikTok to remain under the control of its parent company, ByteDance, the report notes that the company is currently challenging the ban through an appeal to the US Supreme Court.
One possible scenario under discussion is that Musk’s social media platform, X, could take over TikTok’s US operations and manage the business jointly. However, the report emphasizes that Chinese officials have not yet reached a definitive decision, and their discussions remain in the early stages.
Project Liberty (Frank McCourt and Kevin O’Leary)
According to Inc., last Friday, the internet advocacy group Project Liberty, led by billionaire Frank McCourt, made a formal offer to purchase TikTok without its algorithm. McCourt is joined by private equity funds and “Shark Tank” judge Kevin O’Leary, among others. They have valued TikTok’s US operations (without the algorithm) at $20 billion. The group, calling itself the “People’s Bid for TikTok,” plans to restructure the company with a focus on collecting less data on users.
The bid could trigger a 90-day extension of the ban, pushing the case into the second term of a potential Trump administration. While Trump has historically criticized TikTok, even calling it a “threat to national security,” he could oppose the ban, especially given that it enjoys bipartisan support.
Bobby Kotick
Bobby Kotick, former CEO of Activision Blizzard, made a significant financial gain from the sale of the video game company to Microsoft in 2024. Kotick has expressed interest in purchasing TikTok and has reportedly spoken with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and others to finance the acquisition. Although he has kept a low profile regarding his potential bid, he is monitoring the situation closely, awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.
Doug McMillon
In 2020, TikTok was set to be sold to a group that included Oracle and Walmart, but the deal collapsed after ByteDance successfully challenged Trump’s forced sale. Under that agreement, ByteDance would have retained an 80% stake in TikTok. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has kept in touch with ByteDance and is rumored to still be a potential buyer.
Microsoft
With a market cap of $3.1 trillion, Microsoft has the financial resources to purchase TikTok. The two companies have a history—Microsoft came close to acquiring TikTok in 2021, but the deal ultimately fell through. Should Microsoft attempt to buy TikTok again, it could help expand its social media presence, though it may also attract scrutiny from federal regulators. Interestingly, Trump did not oppose the deal during his first administration, despite his push for a sale.