Will the Murdochs Take TikTok? Inside the High-Stakes US Deal Amid Political Pressure

In a recent Fox News interview, President Donald Trump revealed that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch are likely to be part of a coalition of investors aiming to acquire TikTok in the United States. Trump highlighted their involvement alongside notable figures such as Oracle chairman Larry Ellison and Dell founder Michael Dell, describing them as “American patriots” poised to make significant contributions to the deal.

The urgency of this potential acquisition arises from a 2024 law demanding that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest its American operations due to national security concerns over the personal data of TikTok’s 170 million users. While the law is currently on hold, the pressure is mounting for a resolution. Trump has emphasized that the Murdochs and their associates could rally substantial financial backing, stating, “They’re very well-known people who will raise a tremendous amount of money.”

Lachlan Murdoch has recently consolidated power within the family’s media empire, including Fox Corp and News Corp, while Rupert Murdoch, at the age of 94, remains a prominent figure as chairman emeritus of News Corp. Reports suggest that their potential investment in TikTok may be conducted through Fox Corp, given the family’s media interests, which include influential platforms like the Wall Street Journal and Fox News.

Despite their conservative media legacy, the Murdochs have had a tumultuous relationship with Trump, punctuated by the ongoing defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal.

The Trump administration is optimistic about finalizing a deal soon, as indicated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who suggested an agreement could emerge in the next few days. This prospective acquisition not only raises questions regarding data privacy and algorithm control—which would reportedly rest in American hands with Oracle leading these efforts—but it also points to the growing media influence wielded by the Murdochs and the Ellisons.

As discussions unfold, China has expressed a willingness to negotiate, with state media confirming that the Chinese government respects enterprise wishes to engage in talks compliant with market and legal standards.

Meanwhile, ByteDance has yet to issue a statement regarding the latest developments concerning Trump’s claims. The intersection of media power, technology, and national security creates a complex backdrop for what could be a landmark deal for the future of social media in America.