TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has reached out to Elon Musk as concerns grow over the potential banning of the video platform in the U.S., according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). In April 2024, President Joe Biden signed a law allowing for a ban on TikTok if the company is not sold by January 2025.
WSJ reports that Chew sought Musk’s mediation in negotiations with the new administration and expressed interest in his views on tech policy more broadly. However, discussions about TikTok's operations in the U.S. were not on their agenda.
During the election campaign, representatives from TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, reached out to both Donald Trump's team and Kamala Harris, showing "cautious optimism" about possible outcomes.
It’s worth noting that during Donald Trump’s first presidential term, an executive order was signed to ban TikTok, but it was ultimately blocked in court. The current political landscape and Trump’s position may shift, adding uncertainty to TikTok’s future in the United States.
