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AP: YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has publicly expressed interest in acquiring TikTok amidst growing concerns about a potential US ban. This unexpected move has sent shockwaves through the tech world, with MrBeast reportedly joining forces with a group of investors to explore a feasible purchase.
Donaldson stirred interest in a Jan. 13 post on X saying he’d “buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.” The next day, Donaldson added, “Unironically I’ve had so many billionaires reach out to me since I tweeted this, let’s see if we can pull this off.”
That seemed all the more certain this week when Donaldson was named in reports related to an investor group looking to buy the TikTok’s U.S. operations in an all-cash offer, led by Recruiter.com Ventures founder and CEO Jesse Tinsley.
A Monday post on X from Tinsley and a Tuesday announcement from Paul Hastings LLP, a law firm that says it’s advising the group, both identified MrBeast as being part of this effort.But, contrary to Tuesday night reports, MrBeast spokesperson Matthew Hiltzik said Donaldson hasn’t officially joined any bids.
“Several buyers are holding ongoing discussions with Jimmy,” Hiltzik told The Associated Press Wednesday. “He has no exclusive agreements with any of them.”
Beyond the question of whether Donaldson will be involved, how successful this group’s offer will be has yet to be seen, and a dollar amount for its offer is still unknown. A representative for Tinsley declined to comment when asked for further details on Tuesday. The person also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday about why Donaldson was named by Tinsley as a participant.
TikTok’s Future In The U.S. Continues To Be Uncertain
Under a federal law upheld by the Supreme Court last week, TikTok was supposed to find an approved buyer for its U.S. operations by Jan. 19 or face a nationwide ban. The platform shut off access for U.S. users late Saturday, hours before that deadline, but came back online Sunday with a message crediting then-incoming President Donald Trump, who had vowed to stall the ban.
Trump has said he has a “warm spot” in his heart for TikTok, which he credits with helping him win more young voters during last year’s presidential election. During his first term, he attempted to ban the platform, calling it a national security threat because of its connections with China.
Shortly after taking office on Monday, Trump directed the Justice Department to pause enforcement of the TikTok ban until early April. He also said he is looking to have the U.S. government broker a deal for 50% control of TikTok, adding that “every rich person” has called him about acquiring the social media platform.
On Tuesday, Trump added he’d be open to a purchase of TikTok by Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison and tech titan Elon Musk, who contributed roughly $200 million to a super political action committee that worked to organize Trump support last fall.