quote:

The top executive at one of the nation's leading technology companies gave a quarter of a million dollars to a PAC supporting Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) while he was brokering a deal between TikTok and a U.S.-based cloud computing company, according to a new report.

Oracle founder and CEO Larry Ellison donated $250,000 to the Security is Strength PAC, which is paying for ads supporting Graham in his reelection bid, The Verge reported.

The donation was reportedly made on Sept. 14, just days before Oracle announced it had been selected by social media company TikTok as its secure cloud technology provider.

TikTok has faced criticism from some U.S. lawmakers over its ties to the Chinese government, and Graham was pivotal in helping secure the deal with a U.S.-based company, the outlet reported.

“If TikTok is saved, you can thank me,” Graham said at the time.