In a dramatic move, the White House has revealed a groundbreaking deal that would put US companies in charge of TikTok's algorithm, along with a majority of board seats for its American operations. This comes in response to ongoing national security concerns regarding the popular video-sharing app and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the deal could be finalized "in the coming days," although there's been silence from Beijing regarding the agreement. The pressure has been mounting for TikTok to separate from its Chinese roots, with previous threats of a ban looming over the app.

While former President Trump previously postponed a TikTok ban multiple times, he recently extended the deadline yet again, pushing the decision to December. Leavitt emphasized that tech titan Oracle, led by billionaire Larry Ellison—a well-known Trump ally—will oversee data privacy and management.

"With Oracle handling data and privacy, American control over the algorithm is also assured," she stated during an interview with Fox News, adding that the details have been solidified, pending the signing of the contract.

In an intriguing twist, Larry Ellison's son, David, is now the owner of media giant Paramount, which includes CBS News. This places the Ellison family at a pivotal intersection of tech and media power in the United States.

President Trump claimed that he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had a productive discussion on TikTok's future, with Xi reportedly giving a nod to the US deal. However, China's Commerce Ministry issued a vague statement, reiterating their stance on commercial negotiations that align with Chinese laws.

The key issue at the heart of this negotiation? The ownership of TikTok's powerful algorithm, which influences the content viewed by 170 million American users. Trump, while in the UK, dodged inquiries about whether a new algorithm would need to be developed or if the existing one could be retained.

In a surprising turn, Trump has shifted his approach to TikTok, once a target for a possible ban during his first term, now leveraging its massive popularity to appeal to younger voters in his 2024 presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court has upheld a law mandating that ByteDance divests its American operations or face a ban, setting the stage for this critical and contentious decision.

As the clock ticks down, the potential for TikTok's future in the US hangs in the balance, with national security weighing heavily on every move.