TikTok Ban: MrBeast Expresses Interest in Purchasing Popular App

Amid reports that a TikTok ban is all but imminent in the United States, social media star MrBeast has expressed interest in purchasing the popular app.

According to USA Today, MrBeast, also known as YouTuber James “Jimmy” Donaldson, shared on X (previously Twitter): “Okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.”

Though initially thought of as an offhanded comment, the YouTuber followed it up with a post suggesting that the sale may go through if he gets an appropriate backer: “Unironically, I’ve had so many billionaires reach out to me since I tweeted this. Let’s see if we can pull this off.”

Okay fine, I’ll buy Tik Tok so it doesn’t get banned

— MrBeast (@MrBeast) January 14, 2025

Unironically I’ve had so many billionaires reach out to me since I tweeted this, let’s see if we can pull this off 🙌🏻

— MrBeast (@MrBeast) January 14, 2025

As of this writing, there hasn’t been a solid offering from either MrBeast or the nameless “billionaires” allegedly backing him in this deal. Requests for comment from MrBeast’s team from USA Today weren’t returned.

However, MrBeast did release a TikTok on Wednesday, Jan. 15, stating that he has an offer ready for the platform and noting, “TikTok, we mean business.”

Details About the TikTok Ban

Last year, President Joe Biden approved a new law that effectively enacts a TikTok ban in the United States. However, according to reports, the Chinese government has a way around the ban: selling Elon Musk the app’s U.S. operations.

The statute, which mandates TikTok parent company ByteDance sell up the U.S. component of the app’s business or shut down operations in the nation, is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Under the purported proposal, Musk would oversee the U.S. operations of TikTok and X, two social media networks.

It is uncertain if Musk or ByteDance are aware of the Chinese government’s alleged acquisition plot. However, Beijing officials are likely considering selling in addition to a number of other options, such as appealing to incoming President Donald Trump and fighting the possible TikTok ban.

No such takeover talks have been confirmed by TikTok or Musk. “We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok representative told CNBC in an email.