A viral rumor has been circulating across social media platforms claiming that Disney has acquired TikTok for a staggering $100 billion. But is there any truth to this sensational story?
On December 7, a report from Mouse Trap News stated that Disney had finalized the purchase of TikTok for the aforementioned amount. The article claimed that this acquisition occurred just one day after a court ruling suggested TikTok must either be acquired by a U.S. company or face a permanent ban.
Details of the Alleged Acquisition
The report indicates that by acquiring TikTok, Disney would eliminate the risk of the app being banned in the United States. Moreover, this transaction would mark Disney’s largest acquisition in history, surpassing their $71.3 billion takeover of 21st Century Fox in 2019.
Unpacking the Rumor
According to the fabricated article, Disney’s acquisition of TikTok aims to expand its growing portfolio while allegedly promoting its own narrative. Furthermore, the report hinted at the introduction of a subscription service for TikTok, similar to Disney+, allowing users to access ad-free content.
Mouse Trap News even suggested a bizarre scenario wherein if an incident were to occur at a Disney theme park involving TikTok, the company would not bear any responsibility.
Is This Story Legitimate?
In reality, the claims made by Mouse Trap News are completely false. At the conclusion of their article, the publication humorously invites readers to follow them for “more very real Disney news like this totally made-up story.”
According to their “About”page, “Mouse Trap News is the world’s best satire and parody site,”reinforcing the fact that Disney has not purchased TikTok for $100 billion.
In an attempt to lend credibility to their hoax, the outlet featured Disney CEO Bob Iger in their Instagram post; however, it is crucial to highlight that Iger has not made any related announcements, nor has Disney issued any official statements regarding TikTok.
Mouse Trap News explicitly states their purpose: “We write fake stories about Disney Parks stuff. From Disney Park announcements to Disney Hotel and resort news to made-up Disney partnerships, you can be assured that anything you read here is not true, real, or accurate, but it is fun.”
This incident represents just one example of the many false narratives that have surfaced on platforms like TikTok, alongside other hoaxes such as the ‘zombies in China’ rumor and the fictional Fox News report on the non-existent ‘Porcelain Challenge.’
For more detailed analysis on this misreporting, you can visit this source.
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