• Elon Musk confirms he is not interested in buying TikTok.
• Musk remarks were made during a virtual summit held by Axel Springer in Germany.
• ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, continues to face pressure from the U.S. government regarding national security.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has publicly stated that he is not interested in acquiring TikTok, dismissing speculation regarding a potential bid for the popular video-sharing platform. During a virtual appearance at the WELT Economic Summit on January 28, Musk made it clear, saying, “I have not actually put in a bid for TikTok and I don't have any plans for what would I do if I had TikTok.” This statement marks his first public comment regarding the app amid ongoing discussions about its potential ban in the United States due to national security concerns related to its Chinese ownership by ByteDance.

According to multiple reports, the U.S. government has imposed restrictions that could compel ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a ban. Musk commented, “I usually build companies from scratch,” reiterating that his involvement in acquisitions, including Twitter, now rebranded as X, was a rare occurrence driven by the desire to preserve freedom of speech rather than economic intentions.

The speculation arose partly due to the involvement of former President Donald Trump, who suggested Musk might be a fitting buyer for TikTok as the deadline for its sale looms. However, ByteDance has firmly stated that they do not intend to sell the app, dismissing the discussions around Musk’s supposed interest as “pure fiction,” according to Business Insider.

Amid this uncertainty, other potential buyers have expressed interest, including prominent figures such as Kevin O'Leary from Shark Tank and the YouTube influencer MrBeast. As lawmakers in the U.S. strategize on the future of TikTok, the app continues to have approximately 170 million American users.

For more details, visit The Hill.