TikTok CEO Seeks Elon Musk's Guidance on Trump’s Second Term Tech Policies

Shou Zi Chew reaches out to Musk as TikTok faces a looming U.S. ban due to national security concerns and a January divestment deadline.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has contacted Elon Musk multiple times to discuss potential tech policy changes under President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, according to reports.
A U.S. law signed by President Biden requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.
TikTok has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, arguing that the law violates First Amendment rights, while ByteDance executives remain cautiously optimistic about their options.
During his campaign, Trump softened his stance on TikTok, suggesting Congress should decide its fate and pledging to “save TikTok” if elected, a reversal from his 2020 executive order to ban the platform.
Elon Musk, who has close ties to Trump, has been described as a key channel for ByteDance to navigate the potential policy landscape under the new administration.