Earlier today, a report surfaced alleging that President Donald J. Trump's administration is brokering a deal between ByteDance's TikTok and Oracle to resolve ongoing concerns about the platform's future in the United States. However, the President recently denied these claims, asserting that while discussions are ongoing, they are not exclusively with Oracle. Trump emphasized his commitment to ensuring TikTok's continued availability in the U.S., stating that he is engaged in talks with "many people" about a potential sale.
TikTok-Oracle Deal Rumors Dismissed
According to a report by Reuters (via Engadget), President Trump denied rumors that TikTok and Oracle are finalizing a deal to transfer ownership of the social media platform. The speculation, initially reported by NPR, suggested that the Trump administration was actively facilitating discussions between TikTok and Oracle as part of efforts to comply with the Foreign Adversaries Act.
This situation echoes earlier developments during Trump's first term, when TikTok's operations in North America, Oceania, and the U.K. were shifted to Oracle's backend infrastructure amidst heightened scrutiny over ByteDance's Chinese ownership. However, recent claims of a sale agreement with Oracle have been dismissed, with Trump clarifying that no concrete deal has been reached.
Trump: Talks Continue, But No Specifics
President Trump confirmed that he remains engaged in efforts to secure TikTok's future in the U.S. while avoiding another potential ban. The 75-day extension granted to ByteDance to find a buyer is nearing its end, and while Trump stated he is speaking with "many people," he did not specify who might be close to securing the deal. As of now, no formal agreements have been disclosed.
TikTok and the U.S. Ban: A Timeline
TikTok faced a temporary shutdown in the U.S. earlier this month, leaving millions of users without access to the platform for 14 hours. The shutdown was lifted following assurances from Trump, allowing TikTok to resume operations. Despite this reprieve, the platform's future hinges on finding an American buyer, with Trump requiring a 50 percent sale to ensure compliance with national security concerns.
Under these terms, ByteDance would retain partial ownership of TikTok, but an American company would co-own the platform. The goal is to address concerns about data security and the platform's ties to China.
Future Ownership Remains Unclear
Although TikTok is operational again, its status in app stores, including Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store, remains uncertain. Reports of Oracle's involvement have fueled speculation, but the President's denial suggests that the search for a buyer is still ongoing. Trump's administration continues to explore options, but as of this writing, no definitive progress has been made.
For now, TikTok's millions of U.S. users can only wait as discussions proceed behind closed doors. Whether Oracle, another tech giant, or an unexpected player emerges as TikTok's next co-owner remains to be seen.
