URGENT UPDATE: Donald Trump has just hinted at a significant development in the ongoing effort to bring TikTok under American ownership. In an interview on Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing,” Trump suggested that media moguls Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch may join a group of investors looking to secure the social media platform from its current Chinese ownership at ByteDance.
Trump’s comments come as negotiations to take over TikTok grow more complex, with a growing chorus of potential investors. “A man named Lachlan is involved,” Trump stated, clarifying that he was indeed referring to Lachlan Murdoch, the CEO of Fox Corporation. He further indicated that the Murdochs are “probably gonna be in the group” of investors, adding, “I think they’re going to be in the group.” This declaration adds a new layer of intrigue to a deal that has been shrouded in uncertainty.
The potential involvement of the Murdoch family aligns with the interests of other prominent figures in tech and media. Trump mentioned Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle, and Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, as part of the consortium. Ellison has consistently been linked to the Americanized TikTok initiative, notably due to his strong ties to Trump dating back to the former president’s initial term.
While Trump did not explicitly name venture capitalist Marc Andreessen or his firm, Andreessen Horowitz, or investment firm Silver Lake, he hinted that there are “really great people, very prominent people” involved in the negotiations.
The Murdoch family’s potential involvement is particularly noteworthy given their complex relationship with Trump. Despite recent tensions—highlighted by the Wall Street Journal’s critical reporting on Trump’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein—the two have a long history and even traveled to the UK together earlier this year. The Murdoch empire, primarily reliant on an older audience through Fox News, sees TikTok as a vital opportunity to engage a younger demographic with conservative content.
As discussions progress, the urgency around this deal only heightens. The future of TikTok, which has over 1 billion users globally, hangs in the balance as these high-profile names vie for control. Trump’s remarks have sparked widespread speculation about how this coalition might reshape the platform and its content direction.
What happens next? Investors and analysts will be closely monitoring further announcements as the deal unfolds. The involvement of the Murdochs could signal a significant shift in TikTok’s content strategy, potentially transforming it into a platform catering to conservative audiences.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story continues to evolve. The stakes are high, and the impact on both social media and media consumption trends could be profound.
