Public statements from Elon Musk through official channels or credible news sources

Elon Musk Opposes TikTok Ban, Highlights 170M US Users Amid Trump's 90-Day Delay

Jan 20, 2025, 08:30 AM

Elon Musk has voiced opposition to the ban on TikTok in the United States, arguing that such a move goes against the principles of freedom of speech and expression, which he believes are fundamental to American values. He also criticized the disparity in digital platform access between the U.S. and China, highlighting that while TikTok is allowed to operate in the U.S., his platform X (formerly Twitter) is banned in China. Musk described this situation as "unbalanced," noting that even though a TikTok ban could benefit X, he remains opposed to it. His comments come amid broader debates over TikTok's operations in the U.S., including concerns about data privacy and national security. TikTok currently has 170 million users in the U.S., and its operations were recently upheld by a Supreme Court ruling that requires its Chinese parent company to divest its U.S. operations. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has urged the U.S. to provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for foreign companies, emphasizing TikTok's positive impact on job creation and consumption in the U.S. The debate continues as Donald Trump, set to assume the presidency, has announced plans to delay the enforcement of the TikTok ban for 90 days.