Trump Gives TikT0k An Ultimatum, While Microsoft Wants A Slice
Trump, president of the United States, has publicly voiced his disapproval of TikTok in the past, seeing it as a national security threat. Already last week, it was reported that his administration was looking at the possibility of banning the app nationwide. After rumor and speculation, they finally gave TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, an ultimatum. 45 days to sell or else stop operating in the United States. The possible buyer? Microsoft.
Microsoft is now considering an acquisition to separate the app from its Chinese ownership. In a blog post Sunday, Microsoft said its CEO Satya Nadella has been speaking with Trump about buying the app. “[Microsoft] is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury,” the company said, adding that it will “move quickly” to talk with ByteDance “in a matter of weeks.”
“During this process, Microsoft looks forward to continuing dialogue with the United States Government, including with the President,” the company added.