The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
TikTok has dismissed a report claiming that China is considering selling the social media platform’s US operations to Elon Musk as “pure fiction.”
The company’s response followed a Bloomberg report suggesting that Chinese officials are evaluating the possibility of selling TikTok’s US business to Musk if the US Supreme Court upholds a ban on the app.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on a law that sets a deadline of January 19 for TikTok to either sell its US operations or face a ban.
TikTok has consistently stated it will not sell its US operations.
“We can’t comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok spokesperson told BBC News.
Bloomberg’s report, based on sources familiar with the matter, indicated that one option being considered by Chinese officials would involve Musk’s X social media platform taking control of TikTok’s US business.
X did not immediately respond to BBC’s request for comment.
Musk is a known ally of President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to return to office on January 20.
Last month, Trump called on the Supreme Court to delay its decision until after his inauguration to pursue a “political resolution.”
Trump’s lawyer submitted a brief arguing that Trump “opposes banning TikTok” and seeks to resolve the issue through political means once he assumes office.
This came after Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
On Monday, Democratic lawmakers Senator Edward Markey and Representative Ro Khanna urged Congress and President Joe Biden to extend the January 19 deadline.
During a Supreme Court hearing last week, the justices appeared inclined to uphold the law and maintain the deadline.
Over the course of nearly three hours of arguments, the justices repeatedly focused on national security concerns that led to the law’s creation.
The Biden administration has argued that without a sale, TikTok could be used by China for espionage and political manipulation.
TikTok has denied any influence from the Chinese Communist Party and claimed that the law to ban it in the US violates the First Amendment rights of its users.
