Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary has joined a last-ditch bid to buy video-sharing app TikTok before its de facto ban comes into force later this month.
O’Leary, who is dubbed the business reality show’s “Mr Wonderful”, earlier this week signalled his involvement in investor group the People’s Bid for TikTok.
Former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has spearheaded the group’s efforts to buy TikTok from Chinese-based owner ByteDance.
TikTok, which has around 170 million users in the US, faces a looming nationwide ban on January 19, a day before Donald Trump’s inauguration, if ByteDance fails to sell the app.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case by TikTok against the law forcing its ban, which had been brought in last year over national security concerns.
“TikTok has immense potential - not just as a tool for creators and businesses, but as a cornerstone of a more secure, people-centered digital future,” O’Leary said in a statement.
“Together with Frank, we aim to deliver an American-owned platform that safeguards national security.”
O’Leary added that with president-elect Trump’s “business acumen”, he was confident of a deal being landed for TikTok.
Trump previously had supported a ban for TikTok, including during his first term as president, but appeared to U-turn during his most recent campaign.