Joseph Isangura
On Monday, former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Microsoft is once again in discussions to purchase TikTok, the wildly popular social media app known for its short-form video content.
Speaking to reporters, Trump expressed his hope for a competitive bidding process, hinting at strong interest in the app from multiple parties.
TikTok, which boasts approximately 170 million American users, has been the subject of controversy due to its Chinese ownership through parent company ByteDance. Earlier this month, the app faced disruption when it was briefly taken offline ahead of a legal deadline that required ByteDance to sell TikTok on national security grounds or risk a U.S. ban. That law took effect on January 19, just before Trump assumed office on January 20.
In one of his first actions after returning to the White House, Trump signed an executive order delaying enforcement of the law by 75 days to allow more time for discussions. He has since indicated that talks regarding TikTok’s future are ongoing, adding that a decision could be made within the next 30 days.
The former president also raised the possibility of billionaire Elon Musk entering the race for TikTok. Trump said he would support the idea of Musk, known for his leadership of Tesla and SpaceX, acquiring the app. However, Musk has remained silent on whether he has any interest in pursuing such a deal.
In a surprising twist, AI startup Perplexity AI recently entered the scene. According to sources, the company proposed a merger with TikTok on January 26. As part of the proposal, Perplexity AI suggested that the U.S. government could hold up to a 50% stake in the new entity, aiming to address national security concerns while keeping the app operational.
Microsoft, meanwhile, finds itself once again at the center of TikTok-related headlines. This is not the first time the tech giant has explored acquiring the platform. Back in 2021, Microsoft entered negotiations but failed to close the deal despite reportedly meeting the U.S. government’s requirements at the time.
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While Microsoft declined to comment on the current talks, the prospect of a renewed bid reflects the continued complexity of TikTok’s situation in the U.S. The app remains a lightning rod for debates about privacy, data security, and foreign ownership, all of which have made its future uncertain.
For now, TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance as discussions between the involved parties continue. Whether it’s Microsoft, Perplexity AI, or another entity stepping in, any decision on the platform’s ownership could significantly reshape the social media landscape.
