In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump proposed an unconventional deal involving the popular social media platform TikTok during his second day in office. The president expressed interest in having American tech moguls Elon Musk or Larry Ellison acquire TikTok, with a stipulation that half of the company's ownership would go to the United States government. This announcement came amidst discussions about the Stargate AI infrastructure project, which involves Oracle, OpenAI, and Softbank. Trump also issued an executive order on his first day, granting TikTok additional time to comply with regulations that could force ByteDance, its Beijing-based owner, to divest the app from U.S. operations.

Details of the Proposed TikTok Deal

On a crisp January morning, President Trump unveiled ambitious plans for a major infrastructure project at a press conference in Washington D.C., attended by key figures such as Elon Musk and Larry Ellison. The event primarily focused on the Stargate AI initiative, but it took an unexpected turn when questions arose regarding the future of TikTok. In response, Trump revealed he had been in discussions with TikTok’s current owners and suggested a novel arrangement: selling TikTok to an American buyer while giving the U.S. government a 50% stake in the venture. He specifically mentioned Musk and Ellison as potential buyers, emphasizing their suitability for the role. Ellison, present at the conference, responded positively to the idea, noting that it sounded like a good deal. The president reiterated that this arrangement would ensure TikTok remains operational in the U.S. under secure conditions, potentially worth billions or even trillions of dollars. Furthermore, TikTok had briefly ceased operations in the U.S. on Saturday, only to resume after Trump assured an executive order would extend the deadline for negotiations.

From a journalistic perspective, this proposal raises significant questions about the intersection of government and private enterprise. It challenges traditional views on corporate ownership and national security. While some may see this as a bold move to protect U.S. interests, others might view it as an unprecedented level of government involvement in private business. Ultimately, this development underscores the complex relationship between technology, policy, and international relations in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.