President Trump suggested on Monday that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok and that he hopes a “bidding war” breaks out over the contentious Chinese-owned social media app.
“I would say, yes,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked if the software giant was bidding to buy TikTok from its Chinese parent company ByteDance.
Trump, 78, has previously revealed that there is “great interest in TikTok” and that he has “spoken to many people” about a possible deal that would allow the app to operate in the United States long term.
“I like bidding wars because you make your best deal,” the president said on his trip back to Washington from Miami Monday night.
“So if there’s a bidding war, that’s a good thing,” he added.
Trump halted the implementation of a congressionally approved ban on TikTok on his first day in office last week, postponing the prohibition by 75 days.
The president has said he wants ByteDance to sell at least a 50% share to an American partner.
Trump, however, has downplayed concerns that the Chinese Communist Party is using or could use the app to surveil Americans – the impetus for the legislation forcing ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a US ban.
“Is it that important for China to be spying on young people, on young kids watching crazy videos?” Trump questioned during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity last week.
Last week, Reuters reported that the Trump administration was working on a plan to save TikTok that would see software company Oracle and a group of outside investors take control of the app’s operation, including data collection and software updates.
Others vying to acquire TikTok, include a group led by billionaire Frank McCourt and another involving YouTube streamer Jimmy Donaldson, better known as Mr. Beast, according to the outlet.
Microsoft did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
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