Bill Gates: TikTok Acquisition Is a 'Poisoned Chalice'

"Killing the Only Competitor Is Quite a Strange Thing"... Trump President Criticized

[Asia Economy International Department Reporter] Microsoft (MS) founder Bill Gates criticized MS's attempt to acquire the Chinese social media platform 'TikTok' as a "poisoned chalice."

On the 8th (local time), Gates said in an interview with the U.S. IT magazine Wired, "I don't know what will happen, but growing bigger in the social media business is not a simple game."

Regarding former President Donald Trump's crackdown on TikTok, Gates pointed out, "It may be good that the social media game is becoming more competitive, but it is quite strange that President Trump is killing off the only competitor."

He also commented on Trump's statement that MS should pay a large portion of the TikTok acquisition proceeds to the U.S. Treasury, saying, "I agree that the principle of this deal is completely strange," and added, "Anyway, MS has to handle all of that."

Gates stepped down as MS CEO in 2000 and subsequently resigned from the chairman and board director positions, completely stepping away from management. He currently only holds the position of technical advisor at MS.