Trump says TikTok will be banned if not sold by Sept. 15, demands cut of sale fee

[tinrobot]

What he's saying: Trump appeared to suggest on Monday that Microsoft would have to pay the U.S. government in order to complete the deal, but did not explain the precedent for such an action. He also argued that Microsoft should buy all of TikTok, not just 30% of the company.

"I don't mind if, whether it's Microsoft or somebody else, a big company, a secure company, a very American company, buy it. It's probably easier to buy the whole thing than to buy 30% of it. How do you do 30%? Who's going to get the name? The name is hot, the brand is hot," Trump said.
"A very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States. Because we're making it possible for this deal to happen. Right now they don't have any rights, unless we give it to them. So if we're going to give them the rights, it has to come into this country. It's a little bit like the landlord/tenant," he added.

Our thought bubble, via Axios' Dan Primack: Trump's inexplicable claim that part of Microsoft's purchase price would have to go to the Treasury is skating very close to announcing extortion.

https://www.axios.com/trump-tiktok-banned-microsoft-fd45748d-1ee8-4f4a-812a-09ec76d6f8e2.html

Cripes. If it is close to extortion, it is extortion.

[C_U_L8R]

1. It's extortion.

[gratuitous]

2. Trump "did not explain the precedent for such an action"

It's more of a principle than a precedent: Me first and fuck you.

Thanks again, Mitch and the Senate Republicans, for leaving this tin-pot dictator in power.

[crickets]

3. What the hell? Will somebody please yank on this mad dog's leash?

[Volaris]

4. 'Right now, they dont have any rights, unless we give it to them.'.

Spoken like a true to the bone authoritarian, AND he's saying the goddamn quiet parts out loud AGAIN.

[niyad]

11. ??????!

[marble falls]

5. I remember this plot line! The Untouchables - S2-E5 - "Big Al Always Gets His Cut". Neville ...

Brand played "Big Al".

[monmouth4]

6. What is trump's concern in this? I mean Microsoft and Tik-Tok are private entities, why is he

sticking his nose in it?

[I_UndergroundPanther]

7. Greeedy

And wants to control what ain't his.

[monmouth4]

8. Unbelievable. I hope both companies laugh in his face. n/t

[kysrsoze]

9. I hope a European company buys it. Fuck him.

[Kitchari]

10. "Like the landlord/tenant," he says

Simpleton.