Against all odds, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, as tech giants, billionaires, and content creators compete to acquire one of the world’s most popular platforms. This comes after Donald Trump, during his second term, extended the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets, following the brief implementation of the so-called “TikTok ban” on January 19, which lasted only a few hours.
The possible ban, which began as a warning in 2020 during Trump's first term, became law under Joe Biden's administration in 2024. This measure prohibits TikTok throughout the U.S., alleging national security risks due to the alleged access of the Chinese government to American users' data.
Now, as the clock keeps ticking, potential buyers of TikTok are lining up to submit their offers, and the list of interested parties is as varied as it is impressive.
Perplexity: AI and TikTok in Synergy
First on the list is Perplexity, a company known for its artificial intelligence-based search engine. Perplexity's proposal includes the creation of a new company called "NewCo," which would operate in conjunction with TikTok. What's interesting here is that the agreement includes the U.S. government owning up to 50% of the new entity once it goes public. A truly attention-grabbing offer.
With 15 million queries processed daily and $50 million in annual revenue, Perplexity aims to leverage its chatbot technology to transform the TikTok experience. However, it remains to be seen whether this innovative approach will be enough to earn the government's trust and outperform its competitors.
Oracle: The Silent Giant
Of course, Oracle was not going to be left behind. As the company responsible for the servers where TikTok stores its data, Oracle already has a foot in the platform. Backed by its history as one of the big names in technology, the company led by Larry Ellison would be interested in acquiring all of TikTok's infrastructure.
Oracle's offer comes with the weight of its experience in the cloud and its participation in massive projects like Stargate, which promises an investment of 500 billion dollars and the creation of 100,000 jobs in the coming years. If anyone can play big, it's Oracle.
Elon Musk: Chaos as a Strategy
And of course, it wouldn't be a complete list without Elon Musk, the favorite chaos and controversy magnate. Although he has not officially confirmed his interest in TikTok, we all know that Musk never misses an opportunity to revolutionize an industry. With his already established empire in social media (thanks to X, formerly known as Twitter), adding TikTok to his list would make him the "absolute king" of the global digital life.
And why not? Musk is no stranger to risky moves, and his close relationship with Trump could make it easier for him to acquire it. In addition, he now leads the newly created "Department of Government Efficiency" (with the hilarious acronym DOGE), an initiative that sounds as surreal as anything Musk could imagine.
Frank McCourt: A Hero of the Decentralized Web
In a less noisy but equally interesting corner, Frank McCourt, billionaire and owner of Olympique de Marseille, has also set his sights on TikTok. His initiative "Project Liberty" aims to integrate a decentralized social network system (DSNP) that would allow users to transfer their contacts and followers to a new TikTok.
McCourt's idea focuses on a more open and democratic web, and his "popular offer" could resonate with those who distrust big tech corporations. A free and decentralized TikTok? It sounds utopian, but who knows.
MrBeast: The TikTok CEO No One Expected?
Finally, there's the unpredictable MrBeast (James Donaldson), the undisputed king of YouTube with over 350 million subscribers. In his characteristic style, MrBeast boldly tweeted that he was "about to make an official offer for TikTok." Was it a joke? Was he serious? With MrBeast, you never know.
However, his image is not completely clean. In late 2024, he was accused of promoting a toxic work environment on his show Beast Games, which could complicate his ambitions to lead such an influential platform as TikTok. Nevertheless, his ability to attract massive audiences should not be underestimated.
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Who will win?
With so many names in the race, from tech giants to independent visionaries, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain. Will it be Perplexity and its revolutionary AI? Oracle and its robust infrastructure? The chaotic yet fascinating Elon Musk? A decentralization-focused Frank McCourt? Or even MrBeast, the world's biggest content creator?
The only thing that is certain is that TikTok is not just a platform for short videos; it is the battleground for big ideas, even bigger egos, and, of course, the future of how we interact online.