TikTok: Firm calls report of possible sale to Musk ‘pure fiction’

“We are not expected to comment on pure fiction,” a TikTok spokesperson told BBC News.

One possible scenario being considered by Chinese officials would see Musk’s social media platform X take control of TikTok’s US operations, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

X did not immediately respond to the BBC’s request for comment.

Musk is a close ally of the newly elected President of the United States, Donald TrumpHe is preparing to return to the White House on January 20.

last month, Trump called the Supreme Court delaying his decision until after taking office to allow for a “political solution”.

His lawyer gave a legal explanation to the court that Trump is “against the banning of TikTok” and “is looking for an opportunity to solve existing problems through political means after taking office.”

This comes a week after Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

On Monday, two Democratic lawmakers, Senator Edward Markey and Representative Ro Khanna, also called on Congress and President Joe Biden to extend the January 19 deadline.

Judges appeared at the Supreme Court last week tend to follow the law and stick to the deadline.

During nearly three hours of arguments, the nine justices repeatedly returned to the national security issues that gave rise to the law.

The Biden administration has argued that without sales, TikTok could be used by China as a tool for espionage and political manipulation.

The company has repeatedly denied any influence from the Chinese Communist Party and said the US law banning it violates its users’ free speech rights.