With only days left before TikTok might be banned for users in the U.S., a YouTube sensation is expressing interest in acquiring the app.

James “Jimmy” Donaldson, known as MrBeast, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to announce, “Okay fine, I’ll buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.” This casual remark has amassed over 32 million views by Wednesday.

Following up, Donaldson tweeted again on Tuesday: “Unironically, I’ve had a ton of billionaires reach out to me since I tweeted this. Let’s see if we can make it happen.”

However, he has not provided details about these “billionaires” or what a concrete plan would entail. Instead, he has allowed speculation to swirl online. Donaldson’s team has not yet responded to inquiries from YSL News regarding this matter as of Wednesday.

Legislation on TikTok ban

Last spring, President Joe Biden enacted a law that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, does not sell the app by Sunday, Jan. 19. Should ByteDance fail to sell, TikTok will no longer be accessible in the U.S., making it illegal for internet hosting services and app stores to distribute it.

The push for this legislation began several years ago during President Donald Trump’s first term. Some government officials have raised concerns that the platform poses a national security risk, worried that ByteDance, based in Beijing, is relaying U.S. user data to the Chinese government. Recently, Trump has expressed interest in “saving” TikTok himself and has asked the Supreme Court to delay the ban.

Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments from TikTok, asserting that the ban would violate Americans’ First Amendment rights. As of Wednesday morning, the Court has yet to issue its ruling.

Who is MrBeast?

At 26, Donaldson is a YouTube content creator who rose to fame in 2017. As of Wednesday, his YouTube channel boasts 841 million subscribers, making it the most subscribed channel on the platform.

Recently, he has been in the spotlight due to the launch of his first television show, “Beast Games,” created in partnership with Amazon Studios. Inspired by Netflix’s “Squid Game,” NBC’s former “Fear Factor,” and CBS’s long-running “Survivor,” this show features 1,000 contestants competing for a massive $5 million prize.

However, alongside the claim of hosting a game show with the largest cash prize in TV history, Donaldson and Amazon are facing lawsuits from multiple contestants alleging workplace abuse, unsafe conditions, harassment, and lack of basic necessities like food and sleep.

Who else has shown interest in buying TikTok?

Donaldson is not the only one interested in purchasing the social media platform; several others have also expressed a desire to “save” TikTok:

• Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX
• Frank McCourt, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Kevin O’Leary, host of “Shark Tank”
• Bobby Kotick, former CEO of Activision
• Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart
• Microsoft

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross.