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TikTok Chief Turns to Elon Musk Before Trump’s Return to Office

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TikTok Chief Turns to Elon Musk Before Trump’s Return to Office

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has directly contacted Elon Musk, seeking guidance on U.S. matters ahead of Donald Trump’s second presidency.

According to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the discussions, the ByteDance-owned platform’s chief executive reached out to Musk about the incoming administration’s potential tech policy changes since he maintains close ties to Trump.

While the executives haven’t discussed specific measures to maintain TikTok’s U.S. operations, ByteDance’s senior leadership remains informed of these conversations. Company executives are optimistic about establishing a path forward under the new American administration.

Prior to the U.S. election, ByteDance executives conducted meetings with individuals connected to both Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris as part of a bipartisan engagement strategy.

Despite the potential TikTok U.S. ban, ByteDance has reached a $300 billion valuation by approaching investors with a share buyback program.

Despite Trump’s attempt to ban TikTok in 2020, the President-elect recently stated he would not allow the TikTok ban if elected in November. 

However, Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal noted that Trump cannot override the divestment law. He also raised concerns about U.S. technology companies’ ties to China, pointing to Tesla’s manufacturing footprint and Apple’s presence there.

Cecilia Carloni, Interview Manager at Influence Weekly and writer for NetInfluencer. Coming from beautiful Argentina, Ceci has spent years chatting with big names in the influencer world, making friends and learning insider info along the way. When she’s not deep in interviews or writing, she's enjoying life with her two daughters. Ceci’s stories give a peek behind the curtain of influencer life, sharing the real and interesting tales from her many conversations with movers and shakers in the space.

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