A wild rumor claiming that Disney purchased TikTok for $100 billion has taken social media by storm. The buzz originated from a news article published by Mouse Trap News on December 7, which made some eyebrow-raising claims about the alleged deal. But is there any truth to this story? Let’s break it down.
The satirical website Mouse Trap News published a piece asserting that Disney had acquired TikTok for a staggering $100 billion. The article claimed the purchase came after a court ruling mandating TikTok either be sold to a U.S.-based company or face a permanent ban in the country.
The report framed Disney’s alleged acquisition as a move to protect TikTok from the looming ban, calling it Disney’s biggest financial deal to date—far surpassing its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019.
Adding to the absurdity, the article suggested Disney planned to roll out a subscription-based version of TikTok similar to Disney+, allowing users to pay for ad-free content. It even joked about Disney avoiding liability if someone were to die in one of its theme parks while using TikTok.
No, Disney did not buy TikTok. The story is entirely fabricated. Mouse Trap News is a satire and parody website known for publishing humorous fake stories about Disney-related topics.
At the bottom of the article, the website explicitly invites readers to follow them for “more very real Disney news like this totally made-up story.” Additionally, Mouse Trap News describes itself on its About page as the “world’s best satire and parody site,” clarifying that none of their content is factual.
The Instagram post accompanying the article even featured Disney CEO Bob Iger, adding an air of plausibility to the hoax. However, there have been no official statements from Disney, nor has Iger made any announcements about acquiring TikTok.
The outlandish nature of the claim, combined with the inclusion of real-world details such as Disney’s history of high-profile acquisitions, made the story believable to some. Similar hoaxes have gained traction on social media before, including fabricated rumors like the “zombies in China” scare and other viral challenges that turned out to be fake.
Disney has not purchased TikTok, and the $100 billion rumor is nothing more than a satirical joke. Stories like these highlight the importance of verifying news sources before believing or sharing them. While Mouse Trap News provided a humorous take on the scenario, it’s a reminder to approach sensational claims with a healthy dose of skepticism.