UPDATE: President Donald Trump has revealed that media tycoons Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, along with tech magnate Michael Dell, are potentially set to play a crucial role in a deal to secure control of the popular social media platform TikTok in the United States. This announcement was made during an interview aired on Sunday, recorded just days prior.
Trump stated, “I hate to tell you this, but a man named Lachlan is involved. Lachlan is, that’s a very unusual name, Lachlan Murdoch,” emphasizing the significance of their participation in the evolving deal. He further mentioned that Oracle founder Larry Ellison is also included in this group, which aims to address national security concerns surrounding TikTok’s ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance.
The urgency of this announcement comes as U.S. officials have raised alarms about TikTok’s algorithm, which could be manipulated by Chinese authorities to influence content delivery. American officials assert that this poses significant risks to user privacy and national security.
In a statement by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, it was confirmed that Oracle would oversee the app’s data security, ensuring that six of the seven board seats will be controlled by American stakeholders. The specifics of how this deal will be structured remain largely undisclosed, adding to the urgency surrounding the negotiations.
Trump’s discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday further complicate the situation, as U.S. and Chinese officials are now racing against the clock to finalize the details by the new deadline of December 16. This extension was granted as part of ongoing efforts to keep TikTok operational in the U.S., which has become increasingly contentious due to geopolitical tensions.
The Murdochs have a complicated relationship with Trump, and their involvement underscores the high stakes of this deal. Trump described the potential participants as “really great people, very prominent people,” highlighting their commitment to American interests. This revelation has sparked significant interest, resonating with concerns over data privacy and the influence of foreign entities on American technology platforms.
As TikTok continues to thrive with millions of users, the outcome of these negotiations could have lasting implications for both the app’s future in the U.S. and the broader tech landscape. The public and investors alike are eagerly watching this developing story, which has the potential to reshape the dynamics of social media ownership in America.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking on a deal that could alter the future of TikTok in the U.S.
