Microsoft in talks to acquire Chinese-based app TikTok: US President Donald Trump

US President Trump told reporters on January 27 that Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok. However, Microsoft, Chinese-based app TikTok and ByteDance did not comment on the emerging reports. TikTok, which has about 170 million American users, was briefly taken offline on national security grounds. A US law required Chinese owner ByteDance to either sell it on national security grounds or face a ban that took effect on Jan 19. Trump, after taking office on Jan 20, signed an executive order seeking to delay by 75 days the enforcement of the law. Trump said last week that he was in talks with multiple people over buying TikTok and would likely have a decision on popular app's future in 30 days. The US president has previously said that he was open to billionaire Musk buying social media app if the Tesla boss wanted to do so. DOGE lead Elon Musk, however, has not publicly commented on the POTUS’ offer. More recently, AI startup Perplexity AI made a proposal to merge with TikTok, with US Govt getting up to half of new company in future, a source told Reuters. The reported talks mark the second time that Microsoft has been in the frame to acquire TikTok