TikTok, one of the most beloved social media platforms in the U.S., is teetering on the edge of being banned, along with subsidiaries like CapCut, with a hard deadline set for January 19, 2025. Amid the swirling uncertainty, a flurry of public interest has surged around the app’s future. Big names like Elon Musk and Kevin O’Leary have reportedly thrown their hats into the ring, and now, unexpectedly, YouTube superstar Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson has joined the fray. His involvement, however, is wrapped in a mix of humor, speculation, and a tinge of intrigue. Let’s dive into what has unfolded over the past few days.
MrBeast’s $1 Billion Net Worth vs. TikTok’s $50 Billion Price Tag: Can He Pull It Off?
MrBeast, the billionaire YouTube star with a net worth of approximately $1 billion, sparked a frenzy by jokingly tweeting about buying TikTok to prevent its U.S. ban. While his playful remark drew mixed reactions, he later claimed to have billionaire backers and an offer ready, adding intrigue to the platform’s uncertain future.
On January 13, 2025, MrBeast, the internet’s philanthropy-loving YouTuber who has amassed a staggering net worth of approximately $1 billion, casually posted on X (formerly Twitter), “OK fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.” The tone of the tweet was playful, likely meant as a joke. But the internet doesn’t let anything slide under the radar, especially when it comes from someone like MrBeast, who boasts millions of followers across platforms. Within hours, the post exploded in popularity, racking up 17.1 million views and over 370,000 likes. The reactions? As polarized as a political debate.
On one side were fans and TikTok enthusiasts, practically on their knees, pleading for MrBeast to follow through. Comments like, “MR BEAST SIR SAVE AMERICA,” flooded the post. One user dramatically declared, “I’ve never said this in my life, but please, Jimmy, save us!” For these fans, the idea of TikTok being owned by MrBeast—known for his generosity and viral content—felt like a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.
But not everyone was thrilled. Some X users were quick to voice their discontent, with a notable number expressing that they would rather see TikTok banned than let it fall into MrBeast’s hands. One user bluntly stated, “Let it get banned. There’s no benefit to it existing.” Another piled on, saying, “This would be like Elon buying Twitter all over again. No thanks.” A third simply declared, “No, just let it die.” Clearly, the notion of MrBeast owning TikTok is as divisive as pineapple on pizza.
Amid the noise, rumors about Elon Musk buying TikTok also began circulating. Some speculated that the Chinese owners of ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, were in talks with Musk. ByteDance, however, firmly denied these claims, dismissing them as “pure fiction.” For some social media users, Musk’s involvement was a nightmare scenario. One post summed up the sentiment with a text that read, “I’m not a huge fan of MrBeast, but I’ll take him over Muskrat any day.”
MrBeast, perhaps enjoying the buzz, didn’t let the moment pass. In a follow-up tweet, he claimed that several billionaires had reached out to him about collaborating to buy TikTok. He later doubled down on this claim in a TikTok video that quickly went viral, amassing nearly 3 million views in just over an hour. “TikTok, we mean business,” he said, addressing ByteDance. “We have an offer ready for you. America deserves TikTok. Give me a seat at the table; let me save this platform.” The vagueness of his offer—paired with the theatrics—left people guessing whether this was just a stunt or something more serious.
MrBeast says he just got out of a meeting to buy TikTok. pic.twitter.com/EOV3QKbZbc
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 15, 2025
Of course, there’s a massive financial hurdle standing in the way. ByteDance would reportedly seek $40–50 billion to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations. While MrBeast’s $1 billion net worth makes him rich by nearly any measure, he’s still leagues away from affording TikTok solo. That said, if his claim of billionaire backers is genuine, it’s not entirely implausible that a deal could materialize. Whether ByteDance would actually consider selling to a YouTuber, however, is a different story.
Interestingly, some TikTok fans see MrBeast as the perfect candidate to take over the platform. His deep understanding of digital content creation and his appeal to younger audiences seem to make him an ideal steward. Others, however, bring up controversies surrounding MrBeast, including allegations of fostering a toxic work environment, rigging contests, and misleading fans. While none of these issues have stopped his meteoric rise, they add complexity to his image, making the idea of him owning TikTok divisive.
Meanwhile, TikTok itself continues to deny rumors of a sale. Representatives have reiterated their intention to keep control within ByteDance, even as the clock ticks down to the January 19 ban date. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently weighing the legality of the ban, but the outcome remains uncertain. In the background, public opinion is as conflicted as ever, with some arguing that TikTok’s departure would be a cultural loss, while others see it as no more than a nuisance finally being removed.
How do you feel about the potential TikTok ban in America? pic.twitter.com/0a2a6iLrBO
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) January 15, 2025
The internet, in its usual fashion, has turned the saga into a meme-fest. Posts comparing MrBeast’s potential ownership to Elon Musk’s controversial Twitter acquisition are everywhere. “This would be Twitter 2.0,” one user lamented, referencing Musk’s overhaul of the platform now known as X. For others, the drama is simply an entertaining spectacle that brings together billionaires, internet culture, and social media chaos.
Ultimately, the idea of MrBeast buying TikTok might just be the internet’s latest absurd yet fascinating “what if” scenario. Whether he’s serious or not, his tweets have ignited conversations, memes, and debates across platforms. As January 19 looms, one thing is certain: TikTok’s fate—whether saved by a billionaire or lost to a ban—will be one for the history books. Until then, the internet waits, refreshes, and, of course, keeps the memes coming.
