Elon Musk recently stated that he is “not chomping at the bit to acquire TikTok.” His comments came during an interview at the WELT Economic Summit on January 28, with a video of the discussion published later. The remark followed speculation that Musk could be a potential buyer of the popular social media app, amid ongoing pressure from the U.S. government for its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell it. However, Musk was clear in denying any involvement in a potential acquisition.
Trump’s Push for a TikTok Sale
The speculation around Musk’s possible interest in TikTok stemmed from political developments in the U.S. Former President Donald Trump had delayed the enforcement of a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the country.
Trump had previously expressed support for Musk or Oracle chairman Larry Ellison to acquire the platform, even signing an executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund that could take a stake in the app. Despite these moves, Musk made it clear that he had not placed a bid for TikTok and had no concrete plans regarding its potential acquisition.
During the interview, Musk acknowledged that he does not personally use TikTok and is not very familiar with the platform. He speculated that if he were to acquire it, his primary focus would be on analyzing and possibly adjusting its algorithm to ensure it contributes positively to society. However, he emphasized that he had no specific plans for the platform and that his involvement with social media acquisitions—such as his purchase of Twitter (now X)—was an exception rather than the norm in his career.
Musk’s Broader Views on Government and Bureaucracy
Musk’s comments on TikTok were part of a broader discussion that initially centered on his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration. His remarks highlighted his focus on reducing bureaucracy and improving governmental operations.
Musk and his allies have gained significant influence over federal agencies, granting them access to sensitive data. He described bureaucracy as a major challenge, likening it to a “penultimate boss battle,” with the ultimate challenge being the fight against entropy itself.
Musk’s dismissal of interest in TikTok aligns with his tendency to focus on building companies rather than acquiring them. While he acknowledged the platform’s powerful algorithm, he made it clear that TikTok is not a priority for him.
His broader interest lies in systemic efficiency, whether in business or government, rather than social media dominance. His acquisition of Twitter remains an outlier, reinforcing that his primary ambitions lie in technological innovation and policy influence rather than expanding his social media footprint.