MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, might take the chance to buy TikTok so that it no longer gets banned from the United States. On Monday, the YouTube superstar joked on X, “Okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.” By Wednesday, his post had gone viral, racking up over 32 million views.
On Tuesday, MrBeast also hinted that this might be more than just a joke. “Unironically, I’ve had so many billionaires reach out to me since I tweeted this. Let’s see if we can pull this off,” he wrote. However, he has not yet shared any names or plans. Moreover, his team has been silent in response to queries.
Why TikTok Could Be Banned
The future of TikTok in the United States hangs by a thread. Last year, President Biden signed legislation mandating that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, divest itself of the app by January 19 or face a nationwide ban.
Store owners and internet service providers could refuse to host the app. This has led to increased resistance against ByteDance, as many U.S. officials feel it may share proprietary U.S. data in some electronic form with the Chinese government. Even as TikTok has repeatedly denied this allegation, fear surrounding the app’s security has only increased since Trump’s presidency.
Moreover, TikTok is currently fighting back in court. Last week, it told the Supreme Court that banning the app would violate Americans’ free speech rights. However, the Court hasn’t made its decision yet, so users are left waiting.
Read more: Rajab Butt Earns 40 Lacs from TikTok—But Where is He Really Spending it?
Who is MrBeast?
At 26, MrBeast is the most popular YouTuber in the world, boasting 841 million subscribers. He gained fame for hosting wild challenges, bestowing outrageous cash prizes, and producing larger-than-life videos.
Recently, MrBeast took his content to the next level. He partnered with Amazon Studios to launch a TV show called “Beast Games.” The show offers a $5 million prize, making it one of the biggest cash prizes in history. It’s inspired by popular series like “Survivor” and “Squid Game.”
Not free from controversy, contestants have been unceasingly complaining about the miserable conditions on set, including unsafe environments and starvation. Still, MrBeast’s fanbase only continues to expand.
Who Else Might Buy TikTok?
MrBeast isn’t the only one thinking about saving TikTok. Several big names are also being discussed as potential buyers.
For example, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been mentioned among the potential buyers. Others include the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Frank McCourt and Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank fame.
There is Bobby Kotick, once the CEO of Activision, and Doug McMillon of Walmart, and the list appears to just keep growing, with Microsoft also having looked into a possible buyout of TikTok in the past.
For now, the future is unclear. Whether it’s MrBeast or another buyer, millions of users are hoping someone steps in to save the app. Until then, everyone is watching and waiting to see what happens next.
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