Trump says Microsoft is in discussion to acquire TikTok

 President Donald Trump said Monday that he believes Microsoft is in discussion to acquire social media company TikTok, telling reporters traveling with him on Air Force One he hopes to see a bidding war from companies that would allow the Chinese-owned platform to continue operating in the US.

“I like bidding wars, because you make your best deal,” Trump said during an in-flight gaggle en route back to Washington. “We have a lot of interest in because it’s very clear-cut. It’s very clear, if I sign, then somebody’s going to buy it, pay a lot of money, have a lot of jobs, keep a platform open and have it be very secure. If I don’t sign, then it closes.”

Hours after his inauguration last week, Trump issued an executive order delaying the enforcement of a controversial law for 75 days. The law requires that TikTok be banned in the US unless it sells to a buyer from America or one of its allies.

The executive action followed a pledge from Trump last weekend that he would delay enforcement. TikTok said that assurance allowed it to come back online after going dark for more than 12 hours.

Asked Monday directly if Microsoft was in discussion to acquire the app, Trump said, “I would say yes.”

“There’s a lot of interest in TikTok — there’s great interest in TikTok,” he said.

Microsoft declined to comment.

This post has been updated with Microsoft declining to comment.