Tag: TechNews

  • MrBeast’s Shocking Move to Save TikTok – Is He Really Buying It?

    MrBeast’s Shocking Move to Save TikTok – Is He Really Buying It?

    MrBeast, the popular YouTube star whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has been linked to a potential bid to buy TikTok, but a spokesperson confirmed he hasn’t officially joined any such effort yet. Donaldson stirred excitement with a tweet on January 13, expressing his intent to buy TikTok to prevent it from being banned in the U.S. The next day, he followed up with a statement saying he had received interest from multiple billionaires and was exploring the possibility of pulling off such a deal. This sparked speculation that he might be involved in a major investor group looking to purchase TikTok’s U.S. operations.

    Reports surfaced earlier this week that Donaldson was part of a group led by Jesse Tinsley, the founder of Recruiter.com Ventures, that was making an all-cash offer to acquire TikTok’s U.S. assets. This claim was echoed by Tinsley and the law firm Paul Hastings LLP, who both mentioned Donaldson’s involvement. However, a spokesperson for MrBeast, Matthew Hiltzik, clarified that Donaldson had not officially committed to any bid. He added that while there are ongoing discussions with multiple buyers, no exclusive agreements have been made, and Donaldson is not officially part of any bidding group at this time.

    MrBeast's Shocking Move to Save TikTok – Is He Really Buying It?

    The situation surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain. The company has been under pressure to find an approved buyer for its U.S. operations following a federal law upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. This law required TikTok to divest its American assets by January 19 to avoid a nationwide ban. Although the platform temporarily ceased access for U.S. users just before the deadline, it was back online soon after, with a message from the incoming President Donald Trump, who had made efforts to delay the ban. Trump, who has publicly shown a “warm spot” for TikTok, credited the platform with helping him secure votes from younger audiences during his 2024 campaign. Trump’s first-term efforts to ban TikTok, citing national security concerns due to its ties with China, have now evolved into a more complex negotiation over its ownership.

    After taking office, Trump instructed the Justice Department to pause enforcement of the ban until April, while also signaling interest in facilitating a deal for the U.S. government to take a 50% stake in TikTok. Trump mentioned that many wealthy individuals had reached out about purchasing the app, including Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison and tech mogul Elon Musk, though neither of them has expressed a clear interest in the deal. Other notable investors, including billionaire Frank McCourt and former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, have also voiced their intentions to acquire TikTok. Additionally, AI startup Perplexity AI has submitted a proposal to merge with TikTok’s U.S. business, creating a new entity.

    Meanwhile, McCourt’s investment consortium has reportedly offered $20 billion in cash for TikTok’s U.S. operations. Kevin O’Leary, a Canadian investor and member of the McCourt group, has indicated ongoing interest but believes legal obstacles may prevent the deal. Despite TikTok’s resistance to selling and China’s disapproval of the divestment, it appears that both sides may be softening their positions, suggesting potential for further negotiations. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has not confirmed whether it is open to a sale but is reportedly willing to engage with U.S. and Chinese officials to find a resolution that would preserve TikTok’s presence in the U.S.

    MrBeast's Shocking Move to Save TikTok – Is He Really Buying It?
  • Massive Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Outside Trump Hotel! What REALLY Happened?

    Massive Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Outside Trump Hotel! What REALLY Happened?

    Authorities are investigating an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 1, 2025. The explosion, which occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m., involved fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel, possibly detonated by the truck’s driver, according to law enforcement. A body was found inside the vehicle, but the identity of the deceased person has not yet been confirmed. Seven victims were injured in the blast, although all are reported to be in stable condition. The FBI is involved in determining whether this incident was an act of terrorism, but it is currently believed to be an isolated event, with no immediate threat to the public.

    The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck was rented in Colorado and arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m. Surveillance footage shows the vehicle driving up and down Las Vegas Boulevard before stopping in front of the Trump Hotel and exploding. Video from the scene shows the truck engulfed in flames as emergency crews responded. A law enforcement briefing revealed that the bed of the Cybertruck contained gasoline canisters and firework mortars, likely contributing to the force of the blast.

    Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill expressed relief that the blast’s upward trajectory, which he attributes to the Cybertruck’s design, limited the damage to the hotel’s valet area. The glass front doors of the hotel were not shattered. McMahill publicly thanked Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his cooperation, noting that Musk had provided authorities with video footage from Tesla charging stations that helped track the truck’s movements.

    Authorities confirmed the vehicle was rented through the peer-to-peer car rental platform Turo. Investigators are looking into whether there is any connection between this explosion and a separate attack in New Orleans, also involving a rented vehicle from Turo. However, no link between the incidents has been established as of now. Turo issued a statement expressing sorrow for the incidents in both cities and affirmed their collaboration with law enforcement.

    Elon Musk, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated that Tesla had determined the explosion was caused by a bomb or large fireworks stored in the Cybertruck’s bed and emphasized that the blast was unrelated to the truck itself. Musk noted that the Cybertruck’s structure helped direct the explosion upwards, containing the damage.

    Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, also posted a statement thanking local law enforcement and first responders for their quick actions and emphasizing the organization’s commitment to the safety of their guests and staff.

    Galit Ventura Rozen, a guest at the nearby Resorts World Las Vegas hotel, described seeing a large cloud of smoke near the Trump Hotel and a line of ambulances and police cars. She recorded footage of Trump Hotel guests gathered in a nearby parking lot following the explosion.

    While the investigation continues, officials are monitoring for any potential secondary devices and working to understand the full scope of the incident. Despite the serious nature of the explosion, there appears to be no ongoing threat to the Las Vegas community.