ByteDance-owned TikTok chief executive officer Shou Zi Chew has sought input on US matters from Elon Musk, a close adviser to president-elect Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported citing people familiar with the matter.
Chew initiated messages with the Tesla chief executive in recent weeks and asked for his opinions on topics ranging from the incoming administration to potential tech policy, the report added.
Both executives have not discussed specific measures to keep TikTok running in the United States, the Journal reported, adding that Chew has kept ByteDance’s senior leadership informed of the talks, with executives cautiously optimistic about finding a way forward.
ByteDance executives had been hedging their bets before the US election, meeting with people close to Trump and with people close to Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, the report added.
Reuters