YouTube Star MrBeast in Talks About Buying TikTok

Employer.com founder Jesse Tinsley said he’s leading a group of investors who are looking to keep TikTok in the United States while securing American data.

MrBeast attends at a content creator special screening in Santa Monica, Calif., on Dec. 18, 2024. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Prime Video

Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast for his highest-ranked YouTube channel by subscribers, is involved in talks about buying TikTok from its China-based owner.

Donaldson’s involvement was first publicized by Employer.com founder and CEO Jesse Tinsley, who’s leading the group effort, and the group’s legal team at Paul Hastings, although MrBeast spokesperson Matthew Hiltzik said on Jan. 21 that the YouTube star hasn’t officially joined any bids.