TikTok CEO reaches out to Musk
According to multiple reports, Chew Shou Zi shared messages with Elon Musk in recent weeks and asked for his opinions on topics ranging from the incoming administration to potential tech policy, the report said. Elon Musk, TikTok, ByteDance and the Trump administration did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comments.
The report added both the executives have not discussed specific measures to keep TikTok running in the US, Chew has kept ByteDance’s senior leadership updated on the talks. Company executives reportedly remain cautiously optimistic about resolving the ongoing issues.
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TikTok CEO might have reached out to Elon Musk- due to his growing proximity with Donald Trump. Musk had poured millions of dollars for the Trump campaign and openly endorsed him for the President post.
Incidentally, reports also emerged that Musk joined President-elect Donald Trump during his call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And earlier this week, The Information reported that Musk was there in the call when Google CEO Sundar Pichai called to congratulate Pichai.
A big Yes and No on Tiktok ban in the US
Before the US election, ByteDance executives were preparing for any outcome, meeting with individuals connected to both President Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, the report added. Trump, who unsuccessfully attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, has stated that if re-elected in November, he would not allow the platform to be barred.ALSO READ: Elon Musk’s ex-wife Grimes opens up about her heartbreaking struggles over bitter custody battle for kids
Will TikTok be banned in the US?
However, President Trump’s pick for Federal Communications Commission chairman could be bad news for TikTok. In his Project 2025 chapter, Brendan Carr asserted that the Chinese social media platform TikTok “poses a serious and unacceptable risk to America’s national security” and should be banned. The new FCC chairman also reportedly has a close relationship with Musk and has accused Democrats of waging “regulatory lawfare” against Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service.
TikTok is suing the Biden administration – citing the First Amendment – over a new law signed by President Biden that would ban the social media platform in the U.S. if China-owned ByteDance doesn’t divest by January.
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Trump also joined TikTok in June, saying in a video on Truth Social: “Those who want to save TikTok in America, vote for Trump.”
“We’re not doing anything with TikTok,” he added. He also said on TikTok: “I’m gonna save TikTok.”
Trump plans to halt the ban when he gets into office, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed sources.
