Trump Denies Talks with Oracle on TikTok Deal, but Says Decision Likely to be Made within 30 Days
In a sudden turn of events, US President Donald Trump has denied reports of any ongoing discussions with Oracle Corporation regarding a potential deal to take over TikTok, a popular short-form video-sharing app. The development comes as a surprise, given the rumors that had been circulating in the media about a possible partnership between the two giants.
On Friday, Trump clarified that there were no talks between his administration and Oracle regarding the purchase of TikTok, despite reports suggesting otherwise. He, however, did not rule out the possibility of a deal, stating that a decision on the app’s fate could be made within 30 days.
"We’re looking at it very seriously, and we’re going to make a big decision, I believe, within the next 30 days," Trump said during a press briefing at the White House. "We’re looking at various alternatives, and we’re looking at various partnerships, and I think we’ll be making an announcement within the next 30 days."
The remarks from Trump followed a statement by Oracle’s CEO, Safra Catz, who had earlier denied the existence of any talks between the company and the US government. Oracle has been one of the top bidders for TikTok, along with Microsoft, to acquire the app’s US operations.
The Trump administration’s decision to review TikTok’s US operations was announced in August, citing national security concerns over the app’s Chinese ownership. Oracle’s bid, worth around $1.7 billion, is seen as an attempt to acquire the app’s US assets and relocate them to the United States.
The Indian subsidiary of ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has also expressed interest in operating the app independently, while maintaining its Chinese ownership. The development has significant implications for the global social media landscape, with the US government seeking to ensure national security, particularly related to user data.
TikTok has rejected the security concerns, emphasizing its commitment to protecting user data and complying with global data protection regulations.
While Trump’s denial of talks with Oracle has raised more questions than answers, one thing is clear – the fate of TikTok in the United States is still hanging in the balance. As the 30-day deadline looms, the world waits with bated breath for a decision that will have far-reaching consequences for the social media landscape and global relations.
