MrBeast and the CEO of Roblox Are Trying to Buy TikTok for Over $20 Billion

MrBeast, the popular YouTuber, is reportedly part of a consortium attempting a $20 billion+ bid to acquire TikTok. Bloomberg reports that this group, including MrBeast, Jesse Tinsley (Employer.com founder), David Baszucki (Roblox co-founder and CEO), and Nathan McCauley (Anchorage Digital head), estimates the acquisition will require $25 billion.

While TikTok's owner, ByteDance, has declared its U.S. operations are not for sale, and the Tinsley-led group hasn't received a direct response, MrBeast's representatives confirm he's engaged in discussions with multiple parties. He aims to join the leading bidder, potentially shifting allegiances depending on the unfolding situation. MrBeast tweeted on January 22nd, expressing excitement about the possibility and hinting at significant developments.

Earlier this week, President Trump mentioned Microsoft's purported negotiations to purchase TikTok, anticipating a bidding war. Microsoft hasn't verified this claim.

TikTok experienced a temporary shutdown for its 170 million U.S. users shortly before a January 19th deadline mandated by a law requiring its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell or face a ban on national security grounds. The app went offline after the Supreme Court rejected TikTok's First Amendment appeal. The court acknowledged common data practices in the digital age but cited TikTok's scale, vulnerability to foreign control, and the vast amount of sensitive data collected as justification for differential treatment to address national security concerns.

Service resumed following assurances from President Trump that penalties would be avoided. TikTok stated this was a victory for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship, pledging to collaborate with President Trump on a long-term solution to maintain its U.S. presence.

Following his inauguration on January 20th, President Trump issued an executive order delaying enforcement of the law by 75 days. He's engaged in discussions with various entities regarding a potential TikTok buyout, including Elon Musk.