Trump Hints at Murdoch Family's Potential Role in TikTok Deal
Omar RahmanTrump Names Media Moguls and Tech Billionaires for TikTok Rescue Deal
President Donald Trump revealed Sunday that media empire owner Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan are likely participants in a proposed deal to save TikTok's US operations. The announcement signals a high-profile consortium of American business leaders preparing to take control of the Chinese-owned app amid ongoing national security concerns.
The Power Players Behind the Deal
Speaking on Fox News' "The Sunday Evening" program, Trump outlined a roster of prominent American executives expected to join the TikTok rescue effort. Beyond the Murdoch family, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell are also expected participants.
"Lachlan and Rupert will probably be in the group, I think they'll be in it," Trump said. He described the potential investors as "great people, very prominent figures, and they're also American patriots."
Strategic Implications of Media Control
The Murdoch family's involvement carries particular weight given their control over Fox Corporation and News Corp, which owns major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post. This media influence could help shape public perception around TikTok's transition to American ownership.
Oracle's participation makes technical sense - the company already serves as TikTok's cloud infrastructure partner in the US under a previous arrangement designed to address data security concerns. Dell's involvement would bring additional enterprise technology expertise to the mix.
Deal Momentum Builds
Trump's comments come as negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping continue over the specifics of TikTok's US rescue package. The president indicated Friday that the deal is "almost done, and investors are getting ready."
This marks a significant shift from the previous administration's approach, which focused primarily on forcing a sale or ban. The current strategy appears aimed at creating a controlled transition that satisfies both US national security requirements and Chinese concerns about technology transfer.
Market and Regulatory Context
TikTok's US operations face an uncertain regulatory environment, with lawmakers from both parties expressing concerns about data privacy and potential Chinese government influence. A successful deal would need to demonstrate clear separation from ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, while maintaining the platform's core functionality.
The involvement of established American tech and media leaders could help ease regulatory concerns. Oracle's existing relationship with TikTok provides a foundation for data security measures, while the Murdoch family's media expertise could help navigate the complex political landscape surrounding the app.
What This Means for TikTok's Future
The proposed consortium represents a pragmatic approach to resolving TikTok's regulatory challenges. Rather than an outright ban or forced sale, this structure could allow the platform to continue operating while addressing national security concerns through American oversight and investment.
For TikTok's 170 million US users, this development suggests the platform may avoid the shutdown scenarios that have loomed over recent months. The involvement of major American business figures could provide the political cover needed to finalize a deal acceptable to both US regulators and Chinese authorities.
The success of this approach could set a precedent for how other Chinese-owned technology platforms navigate similar regulatory challenges in the US market.
