WASHINGTON, With TikTok’s U.S. future still uncertain, three Democratic senators are urging the White House to seek congressional approval to extend the deadline for its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app. They warned that TikTok may cease to exist if the deadline is not set and approved.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump extended the deadline from January 19 to April 5, delaying the enforcement of a law that requires ByteDance to sell its majority stake in TikTok to U.S. owners or face a ban. Now, there’s speculation that Trump may extend the deadline again to allow more time for negotiations.

Lawmakers Demand Clarity on TikTok Ban

However, some lawmakers are not happy with how the situation is being handled. Senators Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, and Cory Booker have criticized the delay, arguing that it creates further uncertainty for the platform’s 170 million U.S. users.

In a letter to Trump, they wrote:

“This non-enforcement of the TikTok ban was not only unlawful but also raised serious questions about TikTok’s future.“

They urged the president to back a new bill that would officially extend the deadline to October, saying,

“The path to saving TikTok should run through Capitol Hill.”

As of now, neither the White House nor TikTok has responded to questions about the matter.

A Potential Deal: U.S. Investors to Take Control?

Top U.S. investors in ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, are working on a deal with Oracle to address concerns raised by President Donald Trump about Chinese influence over the app, according to the Financial Times. Investors like General Atlantic, Susquehanna, KKR, and Coatue plan to buy more shares in a separate TikTok U.S. unit. Oracle might also take a small stake and handle data security, sources familiar with the talks said.

The idea is to create a separate U.S. company for TikTok, reducing ByteDance’s ownership to a level that would satisfy national security concerns and prevent a ban. This approach could be a middle ground between an outright ban and letting TikTok operate freely.

National Security Concerns Drive Policy Decisions

The push to limit TikTok’s Chinese ownership stems from Washington’s concerns that the Chinese government could use the app for data collection and influence operations. Lawmakers across party lines have backed measures to force ByteDance to sell TikTok or restrict its operations.

Senators have also urged Trump to take a firm stance, writing:

“We urge you to stand up for TikTok’s users and use your immense influence over congressional Republicans to demand a long-term solution to the TikTok ban.”

Notably, following Trump’s inauguration, TikTok briefly went offline before being restored, further fueling speculation about its political and security implications.

Oracle’s Role in the TikTok Debate

In January, reports from Reuters and other sources revealed that the Trump administration was considering a deal where Oracle and some existing ByteDance investors would take control of TikTok’s U.S. operations.

Democratic senators are now demanding clear answers from Trump on whether he intends to extend the deadline again and on what legal basis.

They are also seeking confirmation regarding reports that the White House “is considering a potential deal with Oracle under which Oracle would take a stake in TikTok” and oversee user data security.

Trump recently confirmed that his administration is in discussions with four unnamed groups about a possible agreement, but so far, no final decision has been made.

What’s Next for TikTok?

  • Previous Efforts to Ban TikTok: The U.S. government has long feared that Chinese laws could force ByteDance to share user data with Beijing, leading to multiple efforts to restrict the app.
  • Oracle’s Involvement: In 2020, Oracle and Walmart proposed buying a 20% stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations, but the deal stalled under the Biden administration.
  • Legal Battles Continue: TikTok has consistently fought potential bans in court, arguing that such measures violate free speech rights under the First Amendment.
  • China’s Approval Matters: Any sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations would also need approval from Chinese regulators, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

With the April 5 deadline fast approaching, all eyes are on Washington to see whether a deal will be reached or if TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains in limbo.

The U.S. government has long feared that Chinese laws could force ByteDance to share user data with Beijing leading to multiple efforts to restrict the app.