The Trump administration is advancing negotiations over a potential deal for Oracle to run TikTok’s U.S. operations. On March 16th, 2025, sources reported that White House officials are in accelerated talks with Oracle, though significant concerns remain about ByteDance’s continued role. This move comes as the April 5th deadline approaches for securing new ownership arrangements for the popular social media platform.
Escalating Security Concerns
The ongoing negotiations regarding TikTok demonstrate persistent anxiety about data security and national security risks. Congressional Republicans and China hawks warn that any deal keeping TikTok’s underlying technology in Chinese hands could be merely a surface-level fix. The primary concern centers on who controls the algorithm and whether the Chinese government could maintain backdoor access to American user data, despite Oracle’s oversight.
White House Strategy
Vice President JD Vance and national security adviser Mike Waltz are leading the negotiations, which are reportedly in advanced stages. The strategy involves a “Project Texas 2.0” approach, building on a previous agreement to relocate American users’ data to servers in Texas. President Trump, who signed an executive order in January delaying enforcement of Congress’ ban for 75 days, has indicated that his administration is in talks with “four different groups” about a potential deal.
Key Players Positions
- Oracle founder Larry Ellison, a longtime Trump supporter, has been mentioned specifically by Trump as a potential buyer for TikTok.
- Congressional lawmakers are bringing in Oracle this week to discuss the possible deal and rising national security concerns.
- The Chinese government has previously stated it would “firmly oppose” any forced sale of ByteDance and would require governmental approval for any potential foreign ownership deal.
Future Implications
The unfolding situation hinges on whether the deal can satisfy national security concerns while remaining acceptable to both ByteDance and the Chinese government. Trump’s willingness to defy Congress with his executive order extending the initial deadline demonstrates his determination to reach a solution, despite legal experts questioning the order’s legality. The April 5th deadline creates urgency for all parties involved, as TikTok briefly went dark for about 12 hours in January when ByteDance failed to meet a previous deadline.