In a surprising development, former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his openness to Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk, or Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, acquiring TikTok. The remarks come amidst the ongoing debate over the platform's future in the United States following its recent ban.

TikTok, which was temporarily banned on Sunday over national security concerns linked to its Chinese ownership, left over 170 million American users without access. The ban also saw the app removed from Apple and Google’s app stores to comply with federal regulations.

However, Trump, on his first day back in office, signed an executive order delaying the ban by 75 days, allowing TikTok to resume operations temporarily. The extension has given the platform a brief reprieve while discussions on its sale continue.

Speaking to reporters after signing the order, Trump proposed a bold idea for the sale of TikTok, suggesting that the U.S. government should receive 50% of the proceeds from any potential deal.

“TikTok is worthless without a U.S. permit. With a permit, it’s worth like a trillion dollars,” Trump said. “What I’m thinking about is saying to somebody, ‘Buy it and give half to the United States of America. We’ll give you a permit, and you’ll have a great partner.’”

When asked about potential buyers, Trump mentioned both Musk and Ellison, expressing confidence in their ability to handle such a deal. “I would be [open] if he [Musk] wanted to buy it. I’d like Larry to buy it, too,” he said.

Trump also issued a stern warning to China, advising against any interference in TikTok’s sale. Labeling such actions as “hostile,” he threatened retaliatory tariffs of up to 100% if Beijing attempted to obstruct the process.

This latest development comes as the debate over TikTok's ownership continues to dominate headlines, with the platform's future hanging in the balance. Experts suggest that a sale to a U.S.-based entity could alleviate national security concerns while preserving TikTok's presence in the lucrative American market.

Stay tuned for updates on TikTok’s potential sale and the unfolding geopolitical implications.