The future of TikTok’s U.S. operations is again center stage. in this iteration, the Murdoch family might be part of the conversation. President Donald Trump revealed that prominent figures, including Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch, could join a group of U.S. investors poised to acquire the popular app from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
The potential deal comes after Congress passed legislation in 2024 banning TikTok unless it transferred ownership to American hands due to national security and privacy concerns. The platform boasts roughly 170 million U.S. users, making it a battleground in tech and politics.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
During an interview on Fox News, President Trump hinted at a high-powered group of American investors interested in purchasing TikTok. He mentioned well-known tech billionaires Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, and Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, as key players. Then came a surprise: Trump named Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corporation, adding that Rupert Murdoch is “probably gonna be in the group.”
“They’re really great people, very prominent people,” Trump said. “And they’re also American patriots. They love this country. I think they’re going to do a really good job.”
If the deal goes through, Fox Corporation would join other U.S. companies in overseeing TikTok’s U.S. operations. While representatives for the Murdochs and Fox have not commented, Oracle is already slated to control the app’s data and privacy. At the same time, six of the seven board seats will be held by Americans.
Racing Against Time
The Trump administration has extended the deadline for TikTok’s sale several times, but now faces a December 16 cutoff to finalize details with China. Trump recently discussed the matter directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, signaling the importance of these negotiations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that the U.S. would control both TikTok’s data and its algorithm. She framed the deal as one that protects American interests:
“This deal puts America first,” Leavitt stated. “TikTok will be majority-owned by Americans.”
The Political Power Play
Trump has a unique relationship with TikTok. While his administration once sought to ban it entirely, he now credits the app for helping him connect with younger voters, a factor he believes contributed to his 2024 re-election. His pivot highlights TikTok’s political and cultural significance.
At the same time, Trump’s dealings with the Murdochs are complex. Earlier this year, he sued Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal for publishing a story about Trump’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, showing that business and politics often intertwine in unpredictable ways.
TF Summary: What’s Next
The potential involvement of Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch in TikTok’s future adds a powerful media dimension to the app’s already heated negotiations. If finalized, the deal would create a U.S.-led ownership group tasked with safeguarding TikTok’s data and algorithm while reshaping its role in American social media.
MY FORECAST: Expect TikTok’s sale to become a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations and American politics. If the Murdochs get involved, media influence over TikTok content will be a central aspect in the dialogue.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech