Microsoft to ‘Move Quickly’ on Talks to Buy TikTok

Amid a pandemic that has wrecked the health and finances of thousands of Americans, and currently shows no signs of imminent improvement, Trump is putting time and energy into threatening TikTok.

Indeed, as previously reported, Trump again spouted some shit about “banning” the popular app last week. He was also said to have expressed a lack of support for a then-possible Microsoft buyout of TikTok. Late Sunday, however, Microsoft announced that it would be continuing discussions about a possible purchase, adding that talks will be wrapped up “no later than” Sept. 15.

“Microsoft will move quickly to pursue discussions with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, in a matter of weeks … During this process, Microsoft looks forward to continuing dialogue with the United States Government, including with the President,” a Microsoft rep said in a statement, adding that CEO Satya Nadella and Trump had spoken prior to this announcement. “The discussions with ByteDance will build upon a notification made by Microsoft and ByteDance to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).”

Per the rep, both Micosoft and ByteDance have shared notice of their intent “to explore a preliminary proposal” involving a purchase in territories including the U.S., Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The proposed purchase would see Microsoft owning and operating TikTok in these areas, though Microsoft will also retain the power to invite additional American investors into the proceedings “on a minority basis.”