YouTube celebrity MrBeast (real name Jimmy Donaldson) is in talks to join multiple bids for TikTok's U.S. operations. But he hasn't picked just one yet.
First, on Monday, Employer.com CEO Jesse Tinsley said MrBeast is part of an all-cash bid for TikTok that he is leading. This was reiterated in a press release issued by the law firm representing Tinsley's group.
But Matthew Hiltzik, a spokesman for Mr.Beast, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Donaldson is in “ongoing discussions” with multiple bidders, but has not signed an “exclusive” contract with any of them. He said it was not tied. Employer.com declined to comment.
Updated January 23, 2025: After publication, an Employer.com spokesperson told TechCrunch, “Clearly MrBeast is in high demand, and there's a big reason for that. Jesse and his team ultimately won the bid. We sincerely hope that MrBeast will participate in the proposed bid and greatly appreciate the collective support that MrBeast has shown across the board.”
The same day, real estate billionaire Frank McCourt, who is leading another group's $20 billion bid for TikTok, told Axios that Mr.Beast was expected to join his bid.
However, a spokesperson told Axios and confirmed to TechCrunch that MrBeast is only in discussions with McCourt's group and the parties have not entered into a formal agreement.
At this stage, MrBeast appears to be keeping his options open.
MrBeast is certainly wealthy, having earned $85 million in the first 10 months of 2024, according to Forbes, but his visibility as a creator and operational experience may have attracted multiple bidders. I'm wearing it.
If the purchase goes through, it may end up operating TikTok US. “MrBeast is the *future* CEO of TikTok,” Employer.com CEO Jesse Tinsley posted on Wednesday.
Several other bids have surfaced and MrBeast may be negotiating. Perplexity and Oracle have been mentioned as potential buyers.
MrBeast himself has not yet publicly commented on which side he will choose. “A powerful group that everyone can trust [sic] “Tik Tok bidders have asked us for help, and we're excited to partner with them to make this happen,” he posted Wednesday.
“Something important is being cooked,” he wrote.