MrBeast has begun talks with billionaire investors about a potential TikTok acquisition, as the platform approaches a US government deadline to sell or shut down.
The YouTuber, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, sparked speculation Monday by tweeting: “Okay, fine, I’ll buy Tik Tok so it doesn’t get banned.”
“Just got out a meeting with a bunch of billionaires. TikTok, we mean business,” Donaldson announced Wednesday in a TikTok video. “This is my lawyer right here, we have an offer ready for you. We wanna buy the platform, America deserves TikTok! Give me a seat at the table, let me save this platform, TikTok!”
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Donaldson’s estimated $500 million net worth falls well short of TikTok’s projected $300 billion valuation, requiring substantial backing from potential investment partners. By Tuesday, he reported multiple billionaires had reached out to discuss the possibility.
ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, must sell the platform by Sunday under legislation signed last year by President Joe Biden. The law, which originated during the Trump administration over security concerns about ByteDance’s Beijing headquarters, threatens to ban the app if no sale occurs.
Incoming President Donald Trump has requested the Supreme Court delay the ban’s implementation.
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