Donald Trump Says Murdochs May Play Key Role in Potential US TikTok Deal

According to President Donald Trump, Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan are anticipated to be among a group of investors attempting to purchase TikTok in the United States. Trump stated that the men would “probably” be part of a planned agreement to keep TikTok operational in the US during an interview with Fox News that aired on 21 September.

He added that Michael Dell, the founder of Dell, and Larry Ellison, the chairman of Oracle, would probably be engaged. Trump called the guys “American patriots” and stated, “I think they’re going to do a really good job.” The US and China are moving closer to an agreement that would sell the social media platform’s American operations to US investors, the president said during a phone conversation with his Chinese counterpart earlier this week.

Why TiTok Needs to Sell its Business to US Investors?

A law approved by Congress in April 2024 would have prohibited the app unless its Chinese parent firm, ByteDance, sold its US unit, necessitating the sale. Concerns that Beijing would obtain the personal information of TikTok’s 170 million American users led to the proposal of this law. Until a deal is reached, its enforcement is on hold. Trump stated on Fox’s The Sunday Briefing that “they’re very well-known people” who would generate a “tremendous amount” of money in response to a question about who was involved in the potential TikTok agreement.

Among these is Larry Ellison. He’s part of it. Michael Dell, a wonderful man, is involved. Unfortunately, there is a man named Lachlan involved. “Are you familiar with Lachlan?” he said. “And Rupert is probably going to be in the group.” The family’s media giant, which includes Fox Corp and News Corp, was recently taken control by Lachlan Murdoch, ending a protracted struggle with his siblings over succession. News Corp. chairman emeritus Rupert Murdoch is 94 years old.

Following Trump’s remarks on Sunday, US media outlets indicated that the Murdochs would not be investing in their personal capacity, but rather through Fox Corp. They are well-known for their conservative viewpoints and right-leaning media outlets, such include Fox News and the Wall Street Journal. However, Trump, who is now suing the Wall Street Journal for defamation after a report said he signed Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday book, has also occasionally taken offence at them.

US Eager to Crack TikTok Deal

In response to political pressure to remove the social networking app’s US operations from its Chinese owners, ByteDance, the White House has increased hopes that a deal is almost final.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, a deal might be inked “in the coming days” on Saturday. Speaking to Fox as well, Leavitt stated that Oracle will oversee data and privacy for the app in the US and that “America will also control the algorithm.”

The possibility of the Murdochs and Ellisons, two of the most influential families in US media, obtaining substantial control over one of the most widely used social media apps in the country is increased by the planned TikTok merger. China has not officially stated if an agreement has been reached or not.