Trump Backs Musk or Ellison Buying TikTok With US Stake (1)

President Donald Trump said he would be open to billionaire supporter Elon Musk or Oracle Corp. Chairman Larry Ellison purchasing social video app TikTok as part of a joint venture with the US government.

“I have the right to make a deal,” Trump said at an event alongside Ellison at the White House on Tuesday. “So what I’m thinking about saying to somebody is buy it and give half to the United States of America, half, and we’ll give you the permit, and they’ll have a great partner.”

Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 21.

Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/Sipa/Bloomberg

While TikTok temporarily went offline over the weekend, Trump signed an ...