Trump AG Pick Bondi’s Brother Steers ‘MrBeast’ TikTok Bid (2)

YouTube personality “MrBeast” Jimmy Donaldson and a group of investors tapped Brad Bondi, the brother of President Donald Trump’s pick to run the Justice Department, for legal advice on their bid to buy TikTok.

The group, which is led by tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley, said Sunday that it made an all-cash offer to buy the popular social media app whose future in the US is in limbo. Bondi, whose sister Pam Bondi was nominated by Trump for attorney general, helms a team of lawyers from Paul Hastings representing the group in the bid.

Trump on Monday signed an executive order blocking a US ban on TikTok. The move, shortly after Trump was sworn in for a second term, paused a Biden administration effort to force Chinese owner ByteDance Ltd. to sell TikTok in the US over national security concerns.

Brad Bondi is a high-stakes litigator with ties to Trump. He was part of a team that represented a blank-check company last year as it combined with Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., which operates Trump’s Truth Social media platform. He also advised Elon Musk’s Tesla, Inc. in matters before the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pam Bondi declined to share her views on the TikTok ban during a Jan. 15 Senate confirmation hearing. The former Florida attorney general is a lobbyist with Ballard Partners—headed by senior Trump fundraiser Brian Ballard—and has worked for Trump-aligned think tank America First Policy Institute. She received nearly $3 million in Trump Media stock after it went public through the SPAC merger last year, according to a financial disclosure.

Trump turned to Pam Bondi to run the Justice Department after his first choice, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, bowed out in response to bipartisan criticism.

Trump on Sunday said he would seek a joint venture under which new, US-based owners would buy 50% of the company. Two days later, the president said he’s open to Musk or Oracle Corp. Chairman Larry Ellison purchasing TikTok in such a deal.

The Tinsley investor group said it provides a solution to the issues raised in the hotly contested debate over the TikTok ban, which the Supreme Court upheld in a ruling last week.

“TikTok has become far more than just an app – it’s a cultural phenomenon that shapes how Americans connect, create, and build livelihoods,” Tinsley said in a statement. “Our offer represents a win-win solution that preserves this vital platform, while addressing legitimate national security concerns. We’re prepared to move quickly and have assembled a team with deep experience in technology, content moderation, and platform governance.”

A spokesperson for Donaldson clarified his role in the bid. “Jimmy doesn’t have an exclusive agreement with any potential bidders,” the spokesperson said.

The Paul Hastings team also includes partners Brandon Bortner, Steve Camahort, Ronald Anguas, and counsel Gil Savir. The firm is among the 30 largest in the US, reporting more than $1.8 billion in gross revenue and nearly $5.4 million in profits per equity partner in 2023.