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MrBeast, the YouTube sensation whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is making waves again. This time with his claim that he's ready to buy TikTok.
As the U.S. ban on the widely-used social media platform approaches, scheduled for January 19, Donaldson recently expressed his daring proposal on X (formerly known as Twitter).
"Alright, I’ll purchase TikTok to prevent its ban," he tweeted. Although the initial message appeared to be humorous, Donaldson later issued a more earnest remark.
"Honestly, I've received messages from numerous billionaires ever since I posted that tweet," he continued. "Let's see if we can make this happen."
Alright, I’ve decided to purchase TikTok to prevent it from facing a ban.
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) January 14, 2025
The potential TikTok ban arises from worries about national security related to its Chinese parent firm, ByteDance, along with claims that user data from the United States may be shared with the Chinese government.
A law enacted by President Joe Biden in the spring mandated that ByteDance must divest from the platform by January 19. Should the sale not occur, TikTok will be banned in the United States, and both hosting services and app stores will be barred from facilitating its use.
Although Donaldson's proposal is improbable to materialize, it marks the latest instance of someone showing interest in preserving the app.
Elon Musk, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, and even Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary have reportedly explored similar ideas, as USA Today reported.
Nonetheless, TikTok has characterized the rumors regarding a potential sale as mere speculation, casting uncertainty on its future.
In spite of the growing legal support for the ban, TikTok has been actively resisting it.
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The company recently presented its case to the Supreme Court, contending that prohibiting the app would infringe upon First Amendment rights. Currently, the court has yet to issue a ruling, leaving the future of TikTok in limbo.
In the meantime, Donaldson has yet to share specifics regarding his alleged plan or the "billionaires" he asserts are supporting him. Renowned for his bold endeavors, such as his latest venture Beast Games, some followers are questioning whether this is yet another grand performance or a legitimate business initiative.
For TikTok enthusiasts, the potential ban signals an urgent need to safeguard their beloved content. While ByteDance intends to provide options for downloading personal data, numerous creators are racing against the clock to secure years of their video creations.
With January 19 looming, Donaldson's lighthearted attempt brings a small ray of hope, though it may be a weak one, for TikTok enthusiasts who aren't quite ready to part ways.