Could Elon Musk Buy TikTok? Examining the Possibility

Elon Musk buying TikTok? It might sound like a stretch, but given Musk's history with Twitter (now X), it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility. Here's a closer look at what it would take for him to acquire TikTok, who currently owns it, and what lessons we can draw from his acquisition of X.

How Much Is TikTok Worth?

TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is valued at roughly $300 billion based on private market estimates, though its valuation can fluctuate depending on political pressure and market conditions. This puts TikTok in the same tier as some of the world’s largest tech companies, making it a colossal undertaking for any buyer.

For context, Musk’s purchase of X cost him $44 billion. Buying TikTok would be an entirely different ballgame—likely requiring not just his personal fortune (estimated at around $250 billion as of now) but also significant backing from external investors, including private equity or sovereign wealth funds.

Who Owns TikTok?

ByteDance, founded in 2012, owns TikTok and its Chinese counterpart, Douyin. While TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon in the U.S. and globally, its ownership by a Chinese company has led to scrutiny over data privacy and national security. In fact, the U.S. government has flirted with the idea of banning TikTok or forcing ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations.

This tension could create an opening for a buyer like Musk. If forced to divest TikTok, ByteDance would likely demand a steep price, but Musk could position himself as a buyer who aligns with U.S. interests—just as he did when he took a controversial stance on free speech with X.

Musk’s Acquisition of X (Formerly Twitter)

When Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, it was a dramatic, chaotic process. Initially proposing $54.20 per share (a nod to his love for memes), Musk later tried to back out of the deal before ultimately completing the purchase. His takeover involved both personal funds and debt financing from major banks.

Since the acquisition, Musk has completely rebranded Twitter to X, aiming to transform it into an “everything app” for communication, payments, and more. However, his tenure has been polarizing, with drastic layoffs, a shift toward paid features, and criticism of his leadership style.

If Musk were to pursue TikTok, it’s likely he’d apply the same bold but risky approach, potentially reshaping the platform to fit his vision of the future of social media.

Could It Happen?

The big question is whether Musk is even interested in TikTok. While he hasn’t made any public moves in that direction, he’s shown a consistent interest in platforms with high cultural impact. TikTok’s dominance in short-form video and its young, highly engaged user base could be an attractive asset for Musk, especially if he aims to expand X into a broader social media empire.

That said, buying TikTok would be a monumental challenge. The platform’s sheer size, political complications, and high price tag could make it a tougher deal than X. But if anyone has a track record of defying expectations and chasing audacious ideas, it’s Elon Musk.

For now, it’s all speculation. But given Musk’s unpredictability, it’s not entirely out of the question. If he does decide to make a move, it would undoubtedly send shockwaves through both Silicon Valley and the global tech scene.