Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch could back a new American-led TikTok amid White House push for U.S. control and ownership
Trump Teases Murdoch Involvement in TikTok Spinoff
Former President Donald Trump revealed on Fox News that Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch are “probably” joining the investor group behind the U.S. spinoff of TikTok, signaling a new chapter in the ongoing effort to restructure the popular app under American ownership.
- “A man named Lachlan is involved,” Trump said. “Rupert is probably gonna be in the group.”
- Trump also named Oracle’s Larry Ellison and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell as likely participants.
Though Trump didn’t clarify whether the Murdochs are investing personally or through Fox Corp, Deadline has since reported that Fox Corp — led by CEO Lachlan Murdoch — is indeed in talks to join the investor group.
The TikTok Deal Framework: What We Know
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed over the weekend that a deal has been reached, though not yet signed, to spin off TikTok U.S. under majority American control.
- Six out of seven board seats will be held by American citizens.
- The app’s algorithm and security oversight will be under U.S. control, with Oracle taking the lead role in platform safety.
- ByteDance will retain less than 20% ownership in the new U.S. entity.
“All of those details have already been agreed upon. Now we just need this deal to be signed, and that will be happening, I anticipate, in the coming days,” said Leavitt.
Who’s Backing the Deal
Alongside the Murdochs, the deal is said to include a powerhouse investor group:
- Oracle (handling infrastructure and security)
- Andreessen Horowitz (venture capital)
- Silver Lake Management (private equity)
- Potentially Fox Corp, pending final negotiations
This structure reflects a broad coalition of tech, media, and finance, designed to ease regulatory concerns and ensure TikTok’s survival in the U.S. market.
From Ban to Buyout: A Timeline of Pressure
The TikTok deal stems from a federal bill passed last year that threatened to ban the app in the U.S. due to concerns over Chinese government influence through ByteDance.
- The app briefly went dark in January, shortly before Trump resumed office.
- Trump then extended the deadline multiple times, giving ByteDance space to negotiate a sale.
- Trump claims China’s President Xi Jinping has approved the deal, and TikTok has thanked both leaders for helping to preserve the app in the U.S.
“ByteDance will work in accordance with applicable laws to ensure TikTok remains available to American users through TikTok U.S.,” said the company in a statement.
Strategic Media Power Play?
If the Murdochs — who control one of America’s most influential conservative media empires — back TikTok U.S., it could reshape narratives around the app in political and public discourse.
- It also underscores how media and tech moguls are increasingly intertwined in shaping AI- and algorithm-driven consumer platforms.
- For Trump, the inclusion of trusted allies like Lachlan Murdoch and Larry Ellison provides political cover for a deal that could otherwise face opposition from conservative quarters.
What’s Next
With all eyes on final signatures, the TikTok spinoff is poised to redefine tech ownership models in a geopolitically sensitive space. If the Murdoch family signs on, their involvement would signal confidence, not just in TikTok’s survival, but in its future as a U.S.-controlled media powerhouse.
