United States (US) President Donald Trump said on Saturday (January 25) that he was in talks with multiple people over buying TikTok and would likely have a decision over the Chinese short-video platform's future in the next 30 days.

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Addressing a press conference during a flight to Florida, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that there was great interest in TikTok.

Also read | China considers selling TikTok US to Elon Musk amid ban threat, ByteDance denies rumours

Trump had earlier said that he would like the US to have a 50 per cent ownership in TikTok.

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Is Oracle a potential buyer?

Citing sources, a report by the news agency Reuters on Saturday said that the Trump administration was working on a plan to save TikTok that involved tapping software giant Oracle and a group of outside investors to effectively take control of the platform's operations.

Reuters reported that under the deal being initiated by the White House, TikTok's owner, ByteDance, would retain a stake in the company, but data collection and software updates would be Oracle's job.

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However, in his comments to reporters on the flight, Trump said he had not spoken to Oracle's Larry Ellison about buying TikTok.

Asked if he was putting together a deal with Oracle and other investors to save TikTok, Trump said, "No, not with Oracle. Numerous people are talking to me, very substantial people, about buying it, and I will make that decision probably over the next 30 days."

"Congress has given 90 days. If we can save TikTok, I think it would be a good thing," the president added. 

A meeting with Oracle expected next week

A report by the NPR said that officials from Oracle and the White House held a meeting on Friday about a potential deal, and another meeting was scheduled next week.

Also read | Donald Trump says 'open' to Elon Musk buying TikTok

Oracle was interested in a TikTok stake "in the tens of billions," but the rest of the deal is in flux, the report said.

(With inputs from agencies)