Elon Musk Calls TikTok Ban Unfair, But With 'X' Caveat: 'Something Needs To Change'

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has expressed disapproval of the ban on the popular video-sharing app TikTok, stating that it undermines freedom of speech. However, he also criticised the "unbalanced" situation where TikTok operates in the United States while X (formerly Twitter) remains banned in China.

Musk referred to his earlier comments opposing a potential TikTok ban last year, even though such a move could benefit X. He reiterated that a ban would contradict the principles of free speech and is "not what America stands for."

Photo Credit: https://x.com/elonmusk

"I have been against a TikTok ban for a long time, because it goes against freedom of speech. That said, the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced. Something needs to change." Musk stated.

His comments follow a ruling by the US Supreme Court, which unanimously upheld a federal law banning TikTok unless its China-based parent company sells the app. The court ruled that the national security risks linked to TikTok's ties to China outweigh concerns about limiting the speech of the app's 170 million US users.

"TikTok should remain available to Americans, but simply under American ownership or other ownership that addresses the national security concerns identified by Congress in developing this law," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. She noted that the implementation of the law would be handled by the incoming administration.

Will China Sell TikTok to Musk?

After the Supreme Court's decision, social media was flooded with unverified reports and screenshots of users claiming to have received notifications about the app being banned. Days earlier, TikTok had announced it would "go dark" in response to the legal developments.

However, US President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he might consider a reprieve for the app after assuming office. Following discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump told NBC News on Saturday that a 90-day reprieve from the ban was under consideration.

"I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate," he said ahead of his inauguration on Monday.

Musk as a Potential Buyer?

Bloomberg reported that Chinese authorities are allegedly considering Elon Musk as a potential buyer for TikTok's US operations, citing unnamed sources. According to the report, Chinese officials are exploring the possibility of selling TikTok's American business to Musk. TikTok, however, has strongly denied these claims.

One scenario reportedly under consideration involves Musk's X platform taking control of TikTok's US operations and potentially integrating the two platforms. As of now, no official comment has been made on the matter.