TikTok has made a brief return to the United States after a short shutdown, following an executive order from President Trump. However, this is just a temporary break, as ByteDance still needs to find an American buyer for the platform. New potential buyers are now emerging, with Oracle and Microsoft reportedly in talks to take over.
According to NPR, Oracle and Microsoft are working on a deal to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. Oracle is collaborating with the White House on the acquisition, which would give the American company control over TikTok’s algorithm, data management, and software updates.
The reported deal would allow ByteDance to retain a minority stake in TikTok, but Americans would have more control over the app’s operations and data collection moving forward. This shift aims to address concerns about the platform’s management while still involving ByteDance in a limited capacity.
Oracle has long been a key player in discussions around TikTok’s potential shift away from Chinese ownership. President Trump recently expressed his openness to a deal involving Oracle’s Larry Ellison, along with Elon Musk. Microsoft’s involvement, though a newer development, isn’t entirely unexpected given the company’s strong presence in tech.
Despite the report, President Trump has denied working with Oracle on a deal, clarifying in a statement to Reuters that he’s been in talks with other potential buyers. He mentioned that he would announce a final decision within the next 30 days, without involving Larry Ellison as previously suggested.
It seems the TikTok drama will drag on into the first quarter of 2025. With Trump’s 30-day deadline looming for a decision, ByteDance still has up to 90 days to find a new owner for the platform.
