MrBeast joins high-stakes race to save TikTok amid looming bans
YouTube sensation and TikTok star MrBeast has launched an all-cash bid to acquire TikTok, along with a group of high-profile investors led by Employer.com CEO Jesse Tinsley. It comes as the social media giant faces a 75-day deadline to find a non-Chinese owner or risk a permanent ban in the U.S.
MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, hinted at his serious intentions with a humorous post on X, followed by a TikTok video declaring, “We mean business.” The investor consortium, made up of institutional backers and high-net-worth individuals, aims to address national security concerns while ensuring TikTok’s sustainability for its 170 million American users.
“Our proposal represents a win-win solution that protects this vital platform while addressing legitimate security concerns,” Tinsley said. The amount of the bid, however, was not disclosed.
The move follows years of uncertainty for TikTok, compounded by federal legislation requiring it to be sold to a U.S.-based company. Competing bids from tech moguls like Elon Musk and consortia like the People’s Bid for TikTok are intensifying the race to secure TikTok’s future.
With assets valued at $40 billion to $50 billion in the U.S., TikTok remains a hotly-sought-after prize. As the deadline approaches, the clock is ticking on ByteDance’s decision to sell, run afoul of the law, or risk losing its U.S. user base entirely.