In a dramatic turn of events, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has emerged as a serious contender in the race to acquire TikTok. The world’s most-subscribed YouTuber and third-largest TikTok creator spearheads an investor group’s bid to purchase the social media platform, which faces a strict 75-day deadline to secure non-Chinese ownership.

Breaking: MrBeast Confirms TikTok Purchase Intent

“Okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned,” Donaldson declared on X (formerly Twitter) on January 13th, 2025. What initially appeared as a lighthearted comment has now been confirmed as a legitimate acquisition attempt by Donaldson’s legal representation to CNN.

The bid comes at a crucial moment for TikTok, which briefly went offline during a tumultuous weekend before President Trump intervened with an executive order extending the platform’s operational window by 75 days.

Inside the MrBeast-Led Acquisition Proposal

The investment consortium, led by Employer.com CEO Jesse Tinsley, includes “institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals” committed to preserving the platform. Their proposal emphasizes:

• Maintaining uninterrupted service for 170 million American users
• Addressing national security concerns
• Ensuring operational continuity
• Implementing a seamless ownership transition

The Race Against Time: TikTok’s Sale Deadline

The urgency for TikTok’s sale stems from the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold federal legislation mandating the platform’s sale to non-Chinese ownership. Key developments include:

• A temporary platform shutdown on Saturday
• President Trump’s 75-day extension order
• ByteDance’s current reluctance to sell
• Strong bipartisan support for the existing legislation

Competing Bids and Market Valuations

Multiple potential buyers have emerged in the race to acquire TikTok’s US operations:

• Elon Musk’s reported interest in partial acquisition
• “The People’s Bid for TikTok” backed by Kevin O’Leary and Frank McCourt
• Support from Guggenheim Securities and web pioneer Tim Berners-Lee

Industry analysts at Wedbush Securities estimate TikTok’s US assets, excluding its algorithm, at $40-50 billion, though the platform’s true value remains debatable due to its proprietary algorithm.

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