The future of TikTok, the wildly popular short-video app with 170 million American users, remains uncertain as former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed he is in talks with multiple parties about its potential sale. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said he would likely make a decision within the next 30 days, as the clock ticks on a 90-day deadline set by Congress to resolve national security concerns tied to the app’s Chinese ownership.
TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, has been at the centre of a geopolitical tug-of-war over data privacy and national security. U.S. officials have long expressed concerns that the Chinese government could access American user data through the app, prompting calls for its sale or ban.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the Trump administration is working on a plan that would involve software giant Oracle and a group of outside investors effectively taking control of TikTok’s operations. Under the proposed deal, ByteDance would retain a stake in the company, but Oracle would oversee data collection and software updates, addressing national security concerns.
However, Trump denied speaking directly with Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison about the deal, stating, “Numerous people are talking to me, very substantial people, about buying it, and I will make that decision probably over the next 30 days.”
Oracle’s Role in the Deal
Oracle, which already provides the backbone of TikTok’s web infrastructure, has emerged as a key player in the negotiations. The company previously struck a deal with TikTok in 2022 to store U.S. user data on its servers, aiming to alleviate concerns about Chinese government interference.
Under the terms being discussed, Oracle would be responsible for addressing national security issues, while TikTok’s current management would remain in place to operate the app. The deal also anticipates participation from some of ByteDance’s existing U.S. investors, including Susquehanna International Group, General Atlantic, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), and Sequoia Capital.
Despite the ongoing talks, the terms of the deal remain fluid. One source noted that the scope of the discussions could expand to include TikTok’s operations in other regions beyond the U.S.
Competing Offers and Congressional Hurdles
While Oracle appears to be a frontrunner, other parties have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok. Billionaire Frank McCourt and a group led by YouTube star MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) are among those vying for the app, though they are not part of the Oracle negotiations, according to sources.
Trump has previously expressed a desire for the U.S. to hold a 50% ownership stake in TikTok through a joint venture. However, appeasing Congress remains a significant hurdle. Lawmakers have raised concerns about the app’s ties to China, leading to a law that mandates TikTok’s sale or ban.
Free speech advocates have opposed the ban, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for government overreach. TikTok has also pushed back, stating that its content recommendation engine and user data are stored in the U.S. on Oracle’s cloud servers, with content moderation decisions affecting American users made domestically.
A Temporary Reprieve
TikTok faced a brief shutdown for U.S. users just before a law requiring its sale or ban took effect on January 19. However, Trump signed an executive order delaying enforcement by 75 days, buying time for negotiations to continue.
Officials from Oracle and the White House reportedly held a meeting on Friday to discuss the potential deal, with another meeting scheduled for next week. According to National Public Radio (NPR), Oracle is interested in acquiring a stake in TikTok “in the tens of billions,” though the specifics of the deal remain in flux.
The TikTok saga underscores the growing tensions between the U.S. and China over technology and data security. For TikTok, a sale to U.S. investors could provide a path to survival, but the terms of any deal will need to satisfy both national security concerns and the interests of ByteDance’s stakeholders.
As Trump weighs his options, the outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry, international trade, and the future of digital privacy.
The next 30 days will be critical in determining TikTok’s fate. With multiple parties vying for control and national security concerns at the forefront, the negotiations represent a high-stakes balancing act. Whether TikTok remains a global phenomenon or becomes a casualty of geopolitical tensions hinges on the decisions made in the coming weeks.
As Trump put it, “If we can save TikTok, I think it would be a good thing.”
