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 center 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.
