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Trump Open to Elon Musk Buying TikTok as He Unveils $500B Stargate AI Investment in First White House Press Conference

President Donald Trump has expressed openness to the idea of Elon Musk purchasing the popular social media platform TikTok, adding a new twist to the ongoing debate over the app’s future in the United States. Speaking at his first White House press conference following his second term’s inauguration, Trump was asked whether he would consider Musk as a potential buyer of the video-sharing platform. His response was clear: “I would be, yeah.”

The president highlighted that TikTok’s value hinges on obtaining a permit from the U.S. government, saying, “It’s worthless if it doesn’t get a permit. It’s not like you can take the U.S. out of the equation. The whole thing is worthless.” He further stated that with the right permit, TikTok could be worth "like a trillion dollars." Trump proposed a scenario where the app could be sold to someone, with the understanding that half of the proceeds would go to the U.S. government in exchange for the necessary permit.

Musk, who famously purchased Twitter (now X) in 2022 for $44 billion, has not publicly commented on the potential acquisition of TikTok, but Trump’s comments add fuel to the idea of the tech mogul expanding his empire. Trump also suggested that Larry Ellison, the CEO of Oracle, could be another potential buyer. "I would like Larry to buy it,” Trump said, jokingly inviting Ellison to negotiate in front of the media.

Ellison was in attendance at the press conference to help unveil the Stargate project, a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative backed by a consortium of executives, including SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI's Sam Altman. The project, which is expected to funnel significant investments into AI development over the next four years, aims to bolster the United States’ competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

Trump underscored the importance of keeping AI innovation within the U.S., stressing that “China is a competitor, others are competitors. We want to be in this country, and we’re making it available.” The announcement of Stargate comes just days after TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, failed to secure a buyer by the January 19 deadline imposed by Trump’s administration. As a result, TikTok briefly went dark for almost 24 hours before returning online with a statement thanking the president for ensuring the app would remain available in the U.S

TikTok also affirmed its commitment to working with the U.S. government on a long-term solution that would keep the app operational in the country.

In an additional move, Trump signed an executive order extending TikTok’s operations for another 75 days, giving ByteDance time to find a suitable buyer. The order also ensures that no company that helps keep TikTok running during this period will face legal consequences.

In a nod to his broader vision for U.S. control over TikTok, Trump remarked, “If I do the deal for the United States, then I think we should get half.” He suggested that the U.S. should be entitled to 50% of TikTok’s ownership, positioning it as a major financial and strategic asset in the global tech race. 

As the TikTok saga continues to unfold, it’s clear that Trump’s approach to the app remains rooted in both national security concerns and a vision for economic leverage. Whether Elon Musk, Larry Ellison, or another buyer steps forward, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains a high-stakes political and business story.