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A report claims that despite being a strong supporter of Donald Trump in general, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas may be able to block the president’s plans to save TikTok.
The New York Post reported that a possible deal to save TikTok would require some kind of “licensing agreement” between Oracle, TikTok’s parent company based in China, and ByteDance.
Oracle and TikTok executives claim that because the algorithm of the app would be stored in Oracle’s cloud the U.S. technology giant would have control over the algorithm, and not Chinese communists.
Cotton, the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee has stated that he will not support any agreement that does not comply with the bipartisan legislation that demands that TikTok be completely divested of Chinese control and ownership.
According to the outlet, White House staffers are debating if it is worth fighting for TikTok to be saved if China doesn’t want to give up total control.
“I know Trump likes the app, he thinks it helped him win in November, but with everything else on his plate, is it worth saving?” one source told the Post. “That’s one conversation that they’re having in the White House.”
Cotton’s close friend told Charles Gasparino, “If this deal does not comply with the laws, he is absolutely against it. But it’s still too early to tell what the substance will be.”
Last month, Trump appointed Vice President J.D. Vance and Michael Waltz, national security advisor Michael Waltz will oversee any potential sale of this social media app. Vance said last week that he expected a TikTok “high-level” deal to be completed by the deadline of April 5.
ByteDance was required by federal law to end its relationship with TikTok before Jan. 19 or risk a ban across the country.
Trump signed an Executive Order on the first day his second term in the White House, seeking to defer by 75 days enforcement of the TikTok Ban.
NPR reported a few days later that Microsoft and Oracle were in discussions with the White House about taking over TikTok. ByteDance would keep a minor stake in the social networking app, while Oracle will be responsible for the algorithm, data collection and software updates.
Trump said recently that four groups were bidding for the popular app which has 170 million U.S. users.
Trump had previously stated that he wanted the U.S. Government to broker a deal involving TikTok for a 50% share.
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