US President Donald Trump has revealed that Microsoft is currently in talks to acquire TikTok and expressed a desire for a competitive bidding process for the sale of the popular social media platform.
When queried by reporters about Microsoft's potential bid, Trump confirmed, "I would say yes," noting significant interest from various companies in TikTok.
For years, both Trump and former President Joe Biden have sought to compel TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its US operations citing national security concerns.
Despite granting TikTok a 75-day extension from the ban, Trump initiated pressure on ByteDance to sell the app, making him the first president to do so.
Following this, TikTok had considered partnering with Oracle but the deal fell through.
Trump previously mentioned ongoing discussions with multiple parties regarding TikTok's acquisition and anticipates a decision on the app's fate within the next 30 days.
Regarding Microsoft's stance on the matter, a company spokesperson stated that they have "nothing to share at this time." The BBC has contacted TikTok for their input on the developments.
During a recent address to Republican officials in Florida, Trump spoke about the potential TikTok sale, highlighting the anticipated competitiveness of the bidding process.
"We'll see what happens. We're going to have a lot of people bidding on it," he remarked, emphasizing the aim to safeguard American interests and jobs without Chinese involvement.
Notable individuals linked to potential TikTok purchases include investor Frank McCourt and Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary, alongside popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast, who expressed interest after receiving outreach from investors following his public interest in the acquisition.