With signs the digital landscape could be on the brink of upheaval, certain names are emerging as a beacon of hope, possibly for unexpected solutions.
One of them is Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, which recently caused a storm in the debate.
China’s ByteDance owned TikTok, the popular short form video platform, is facing serious problems in the United States.
U.S. government has expressed fears over national security over possible espionage activities by the Chinese government through TikTok.
Due to these apprehensions, legislative action has been taken including the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA).
This makes a nationwide ban mandatory for ByteDance to divest from TikTok by January 19, 2025, the date when the ban will come into effect if ByteDance doesn’t divest it. It was signed into law by President Joe Biden in April 2024.
As the ban looms closer, TikTok has been exploring legal options to fight it, saying that the ban violates the First Amendment by trampling over Americans’ right to free speech.
The company is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court for intervention, on constitutional grounds.
In turn, ByteDance has said it’s reluctant to sell the video app, citing the technological, commercial and legal issues involved in a forced sale.
Move the deadline closer and the company hasn’t made life any simpler.
In that context, a 26 year old YouTuber, known for his philanthropic deeds and massive challenges, as well as his Mario YouTube channel, MrBeast, made surprising comments.
On January 14, 2025, he posted on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter): “I mean, okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok and then they can’t ban it.”
At first the declaration was taken for a joke, but another post by MrBeast gave it momentum. “I wrote unironically that I’ve had so many billionaires reach out to me since I tweeted this, let’s see if we can pull this off,” he added, whipping up speculation about what he’s up to.
The idea of MrBeast fronting a consortium to buy TikTok is a thought that places many captivated, given that he’s worth an estimated $1 billion.
But TikTok’s U.S. operations are worth much more, with estimates between $40 billion and $50 billion.
Therefore, you need to partner with other high net worth people or investment entities to bid for the property. Big names have come into the conversation regarding potential collaborators in this venture.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — and rapper Meek Mill — are among those who have chimed in on the fate of TikTok. Notably, Meek Mill tweeted, ‘Vendeme TikTok!’ But there’s something to be said about Elon Musk getting involved, as it could be strategically aligned with his goals for X, or Twitter as it used to be.
A consortium led by MrBeast and other such individuals’ potential acquisition can make the deal run into some serious problems.
First, due to the financial magnitude of such a deal it will need a big chunk of money and a strong business strategy which guarantees profits with compliance with the U.S. regulations.
Secondly, any such transfer of ownership from a Chinese entity to a U.S.-based consortium would be complex to begin with, and to the extent that operational complexities cannot be forestalled, a robust cash cushion would need to be maintained. During such a transition, platform stability and user engagement would be the top priorities.
TikTok’s future in the US is uncertain just as the January 19 deadline looms. Without divestment, TikTok, which ByteDance did not acquire, could be removed from app stores.
The app would retain existing users, but without update the app would eventually be phased out.
The question of whether to ban influencers from platforms like YouTube if they break the rules is nothing new, but this situation has prompted content creators and influencers to look for a new platform to keep their audience and revenue sources with them.
Thrown into all of this uncertainty, the proposition of MrBeast acquiring TikTok, a sincere offering or a strategic comment piece, makes the drama just that much more interesting. His ability to assemble billionaires, sources say, and his ability to mobilise resources may yet influence the outcome irrevocably.
The platform’s fate will be more than just commenting on the landscape of digital content; it will be setting a new precedent. The most compelling tech history narrative to date is about geopolitics and global digital platforms.
Feature Image Credit: (Instagram/ @mrbeast)