Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Axel Springer proposed joining a deal for TikTok’s European business
Axel Springer proposed taking part in a deal for TikTok’s European business, according to people familiar with the discussions.
The proposal was raised by chief executive Mathias Döpfner in January during a meeting in Berlin with US ambassador Charles Kushner.
Axel Springer owns Politico and the Telegraph, as well as other media outlets.
Döpfner’s idea was to adapt the US approach, where TikTok’s US business was separated into a new company with a majority of US ownership amid national security concerns.
EU officials showed little interest, and TikTok owner ByteDance was also said to oppose the idea, so the plan stalled.
ByteDance called the account completely fabricated, while Axel Springer said it would have welcomed a role if a European solution had gone ahead.
The proposal remains on hold, though Axel Springer says it would still take part if such a solution is pursued.
Axel Springer chief executive Mathias Döpfner proposed that the German media group join a deal to buy a stake in TikTok’s European business.
He raised the idea with US ambassador to France Charles Kushner at a meeting in Berlin in January.
The proposal sought to apply a model similar to the restructuring of TikTok’s US business, but it did not advance.
EU Commission officials were not enthusiastic, and TikTok owner ByteDance showed no interest, according to the reports.
Axel Springer said it would have welcomed the chance to participate if a European solution had been agreed, while ByteDance called the report a complete fabrication.
- Who
- Axel Springer chief executive and co-owner Mathias Döpfner proposed the idea to US ambassador to France Charles Kushner.
- What
- Axel Springer proposed joining a deal to acquire a stake in TikTok’s European business.
- When
- Döpfner raised the idea in January; the reports were published on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The meeting with Kushner took place at Axel Springer’s headquarters in Berlin.
- Why
- Döpfner has argued that TikTok should be under democratic ownership or be banned, citing concerns about its ownership and content.
Axel Springer
ByteDance
Proposed deal
Axel Springer
Axel Springer said it would have welcomed the opportunity to participate in a European solution modelled on the US arrangement.
ByteDance
ByteDance said the report was a complete fabrication and that it was not worth commenting on.
TikTok’s European ownership
Axel Springer
Döpfner has supported separating TikTok’s European business and placing it under democratic shareholders.
ByteDance
ByteDance showed no interest in the proposed plan, according to the reports.
Döpfner discussed Axel Springer joining a deal for TikTok’s European business with Charles Kushner at a meeting in Berlin.
Döpfner said TikTok should be sold to democratic shareholders or banned, and pointed to the US as an example of action.
The proposal had stalled after EU officials showed little enthusiasm and ByteDance showed no interest, according to the reports.
- Proposed buyer
- Axel Springer
- Proposer
- Mathias Döpfner, chief executive and co-owner of Axel Springer
- Meeting
- January, Axel Springer headquarters in Berlin
- US official
- Charles Kushner, US ambassador to France
- TikTok owner
- ByteDance
- Status
- Proposal stalled; ByteDance denied the report
5 sources
폴리티코 소유주, 틱톡 유럽사업 인수 타진…EU 반응 냉담
TikTok Europa, il proprietario di Politico punta all’acquisto: «O passa in mani democratiche o va bandito»
El dueño del Telegraph y Politico propuso comprar la rama europea de TikTok, según FT
Medien: Axel Springer wohl an Europa-Geschäft von TikTok interessiert
Politico and Telegraph owner pitched deal to buy European arm of TikTok
What people are saying
belong to democratic shareholders or be banned
If such a solution had been realised, Axel Springer, as a major European media company, would have welcomed the opportunity to participate.
A complete fabrication and not even worth commenting on.