Jimmy Donaldson, famously known as MrBeast, has not officially joined any effort to purchase TikTok’s U.S. operations, despite rumors circulating this week. A representative for the YouTube star clarified his stance amidst speculation stemming from social media posts and investor group announcements.
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On January 13, Donaldson sparked conversations with a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating he’d “buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.” The following day, he added, “Unironically I’ve had so many billionaires reach out to me since I tweeted this, let’s see if we can pull this off.”
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Reports intensified when Donaldson was named as part of an investor group led by Recruiter.com Ventures CEO Jesse Tinsley, which is reportedly making an all-cash offer for TikTok’s U.S. operations. However, on Wednesday, Donaldson’s spokesperson, Matthew Hiltzik, denied any formal involvement.
“Several buyers are holding ongoing discussions with Jimmy,” Hiltzik told The Associated Press. “He has no exclusive agreements with any of them.”
TikTok’s Uncertain Future in the U.S.
TikTok’s future remains uncertain due to federal laws mandating ByteDance, the app’s parent company, to divest its U.S. operations to an approved buyer. Under a Supreme Court-upheld law, ByteDance was required to comply by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.
Although TikTok temporarily went offline for U.S. users on January 18, it resumed operations on January 19 after crediting then-incoming President Donald Trump for stalling the ban. Trump, known for his criticism of TikTok as a national security threat due to its ties to China, expressed interest in brokering a deal where the U.S. government would hold a 50% stake in the platform.
Competing Bids and Investor Interest
Multiple high-profile investors and companies have expressed interest in purchasing TikTok. Among them are billionaire Frank McCourt, former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison. Tech mogul Elon Musk, who contributed $200 million to a pro-Trump PAC last year, has also been mentioned, though neither Ellison nor Musk has publicly confirmed interest in acquiring the app.
Additionally, artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has proposed a merger with TikTok’s U.S. business, while McCourt-led investors have reportedly offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash. However, the legality of such acquisitions remains contested, as the federal divestment law has faced ongoing challenges in court.
International Tensions
ByteDance, which has been under scrutiny in Washington for years, initially resisted selling TikTok. However, recent remarks from Bill Ford, a ByteDance board member, indicate that the company is open to working with U.S. and Chinese officials to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, China’s stance on the divestment push appears to be softening.
While speculation about MrBeast’s involvement in the TikTok bidding race continues to make headlines, his representative confirmed that no definitive agreements have been made, leaving TikTok’s fate and ownership uncertain.
