The CEO of ByteDance-owned TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, sought input from Elon Musk, a close adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, on US affairs, the report said. Wall Street Journal this Saturday (23), citing people familiar with the matter.
Chew initiated messages with the Tesla CEO in recent weeks and asked for his opinions on topics ranging from the new government to potential technology policy, the report added.
Elon Musk, TikTok, ByteDance and the Trump administration did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Both executives did not discuss specific steps to keep TikTok running in the United States, the Journal reported, adding that Chew kept ByteDance’s senior leadership apprised of the talks, with executives cautiously optimistic about finding a way forward.
ByteDance executives were hedging their bets ahead of the US election, meeting with people close to Trump and those close to Democratic candidate Kamala, the report added.
Trump, who unsuccessfully tried to ban TikTok in 2020, said that if elected in November he would not allow TikTok to be banned.