TikTok has dismissed claims that Chinese officials are considering selling the social media platform’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk’s X platform, calling the report “pure fiction.”
The denial follows a Bloomberg report alleging that China might allow the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations if the Supreme Court upholds a January 19 deadline mandating a divestiture or ban of the app. TikTok has consistently maintained it will not sell its U.S. business.
“We can’t be expected to comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok spokesperson told reporters in response to the claims.
Bloomberg cited unnamed sources suggesting a potential transfer of TikTok’s U.S. operations to Musk’s X platform as one option under consideration by Chinese officials. Representatives for X have not commented on the report.
The issue has drawn political attention as President-elect Donald Trump, a close ally of Musk, prepares to take office on January 20. Trump has reportedly urged the Supreme Court to delay its ruling, seeking what his legal team has described as a “political resolution.” Trump’s lawyer filed a brief stating he opposes an outright ban on TikTok and favors a diplomatic approach.
This stance follows a recent meeting between Trump and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Edward Markey and Representative Ro Khanna, have called on the Biden administration and Congress to extend the January 19 deadline.
During a Supreme Court hearing last week, justices appeared inclined to uphold the legislation, citing national security concerns over TikTok’s potential exploitation by the Chinese government for espionage or political manipulation. The Biden administration has argued that forcing a sale is essential to safeguarding U.S. interests.
TikTok, however, has repeatedly denied allegations of Chinese government influence and insists that banning the platform would violate the First Amendment rights of its U.S. users. The debate continues as the January deadline looms, leaving the platform’s future in the U.S. uncertain.
