The battle to buy TikTok might just have lost one of its key rumored bidders, but rival buyer MrBeast isn't too sad about the news, offering his own savage response on social media.
Despite a pause on the ban from new US President Donald Trump, TikTok's future in the United States still remains somewhat up in the air as Vice President JD Vance has been appointed to oversee an eventual sale.
ByteDance, the owner of the short-form video content app, has remained firm in its stance though, insisting that the app is not for sale, yet rumors continue to gather pace.
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Elon Musk was initially one of the most prominent names on the list of potential buyers around the time of the ban, with China reportedly in talks to sell TikTok to the richest man in the world.
While a sale price was never officially or publicly quoted, analysts estimated a fee anywhere between $67 billion and $180 billion would have been viable, and that would have been quite the dent for Musk, even if his net worth is over double the higher figure.
He has recently squashed any rumors that he's involved in a sale though, asserting: "I have not put in a bid for TikTok. I don't have any plans for what I would do if I had TikTok. I'm not chomping at the bit to acquire TikTok, I do not acquire companies in general, it's quite rare."
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Musk's name became a popular choice not only due to his substantial wealth but his history with social media platform Twitter, now X, which he purchased for $44 billion in 2022.
One of the other key rumored bidders has offered his own perspective on Musk's withdrawal though, as Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson posted a one-word savage response on X, as reported by Indy 100.
"Phew," Donaldson remarked in response to the news, which is likely due to the news reduced competition as opposed to any comment on Musk's potential ownership of the platform.
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The YouTube sensation has been a key voice vying for control of TikTok since it was announced that the app would be up for sale, although some still can't figure out how serious he actually is.
He has previously posted videos stating that he 'means business' when it comes to purchasing the app, and has recently jetted out to place an official bid.
"TikTok, I'm on a private jet right now about to put in my official offer for this platform," Donaldson detailed in a video on the platform, adding "I might become you guys' new CEO. I'm super excited."
MrBeast also declared: "I wish I could say more about the offer I'm putting in, but I can't for now. Just know that it's gonna be crazy."
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He previously revealed that he's had 'so many' billionaires reach out to him to support a bid, so it appears as if he remains serious in his desire to take over TikTok, hence why he's likely breathed a sigh of relief now that Musk has dropped out.
It's clear that Donaldson's opinion holds plenty of weight when it comes to social media though, as he not only holds the record for subscribers on his native YouTube, Musk sought his opinion surrounding a key aspect of the Twitter purchase.