President Trump’s hostility toward Chinese company TikTok has shifted from ban threats to a cynical attempt to solicit a payoff from US company Microsoft in return for being allowed by Trump to purchase TikTok.
Trump went into the weekend suggesting a ban was coming in a matter of days. On Monday, he gave Microsoft or some other US company a deadline of September 15 to make a deal. Trump says either TikTok would be sold or it will be “going out of business” from a personal ban.
More shocking than the ultimatum was Trump’s declaration at the White House that a “substantial portion” of the sale price Microsoft would pay for TikTok should be coming directly to the US Treasury Department, reimbursing the US for allowing them to buy it.
“The United States should be reimbursed or paid because without the United States they don’t have anything,” Trump said, adding it is “a little bit like the landlord tenant. Without a lease, the tenant has nothing. So they pay what’s called key money or something.”
Key money is a form of payment without consideration, illegal in many countries and considered a practical form of bribery within the real estate market. In esssence, compensation is paid to a third party (the US in this case) for permitting an exchange of ownership between TikTok and Microsoft.
Needless to say, that is not the way things historically work in the United States. The Treasury Department has so far refused to comment on the matter, while the White House has yet to offer any clarification of Trump’s intentions.
Don Trump demands a cut from the theft he initiated.
Key money … just thinking out loud, I’m sure … hey, I’m gonna do you a favor and one day I’ll ask for a favor back, capiche?
For a business that Microsoft will likely run into the ground.
Well at least China has no illusions that they will be treated any better than Iran regardless of what they do so they might as well join the Axis of Resistance and stop sitting on the fence.
You’re Damn Right Microsoft should give it up. They are a Pirate Operation that runs a Cartel. They have been screwing people and small business innovators for over 25 years. They are lucky to get a nickel out of this. Their advertising revenue should be taxed at 25%. Why do you think Paul Allen left Microsoft? He finally figured out Gates was a Screwworm and got out.
That was a long time (3 chief executives) ago. Mr. Softie has changed a lot. They have made peace with Linux and they give Windows away.
Something about spots and leopards comes to mind.
“Leap” to mind would’ve worked better on me, leopards and all that.
Microsoft is not a lick different than any other multinational behemoth. Essentially on greed calibrated autopilot.
Trump a bit confused. The cut is all the tax uncle charges, if they in fact do. I see America’s top corps who take in billions, paying NO real taxes… It’s for US the little people to support this war machine state. They rake in billions, and we get $13.50 an hour.. These days a lot of the money the U.S. gets is printed. No need for hard work, inguinity, or creativity. Just IRS key strokes. Go figure…!!!!!
What a crook!
I’m struggling to decide who is the larger supporter of socialism, Trump or Sanders. Trump seems more directly fascist as all socialist leaders become, Bernie seems too hold the idea socialism won’t turn into fascism. Maybe Trump is just the better realist
How is saying the Gov. should get “key money” (he really means extortion) equivalent to socialism? This isn’t even a tax. It’s got no basis in law, it’s entirely his whim if it happens at all, including the Sept. 15 deadline. This is more likely to dissuade MS from making the deal. He’s trying to scupper the only solution to the latest US-created crisis.
Central planning of economy via executive fiat and beuracratic planning (Cares Act, rampant calls for government planning of interest rate, using government to crush rivals of state-corporate partnerships in health, manufacturing, infotainment, government officials used to sell private Arms around the world, ect ECT ECT). Trump is simply all on board the Obama/McCain Technocratic planning of the world – which is why he sent McCain’s neo-nazis weapons to help the elite secure a Technocratic Ukraine.
Onto further signs of Trump’s general socialist mindset –
Complete contempt for private property. Complete contempt for individuals self-ownership.
Trump is a Socialist thru and thru, he hates market economies, hates limited constitutional government and would likely never find a problem that he wouldn’t gladly tell his voters he can use the government too fix it.
A disgrace to humanity, not just to Wharton College which allegedly attempted to educate him
Trump trolls media,
puts their panties in a wad, again.
So easy.
Trump trolls media,
puts their panties in a wad, again.
So easy.
Of course the US should get money. China wasted everyone’s time by trying to extend their totalitarian spying to a global App. They still won’t let regular citizens have Twitter accounts without government approval and they still engage in fascistic social credit scores.
All software should be banned from China. Software for them, is a virtual ankle bracelet.
“All software should be banned from China.”
I guess you’re OK, then, with China banning or controlling American software?
Chinese Media Slams.
“Theft” of TikTok as Trump Says US Treasury May Take Cut of Sale to Microsoft.
Critic calls US’ move on TikTok a ‘mafia deal’
http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202008/04/WS5f28bb9ea31083481725e057.2.html