Trump Reveals Key Figures Involved in TikTok Takeover Deal
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has confirmed that media magnate Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch are likely to join a group of investors poised to take control of TikTok's American operations. This move comes as part of efforts to avert a potential ban on the app in the United States.
During an interview on a program over the weekend, Trump identified Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell as central figures in the deal, which seeks to keep TikTok running in the US while addressing national security issues.
“These are very well-known people. Larry Ellison is one of them. He’s involved. This great guy, Michael Dell is involved. I hate to tell you this, but a man named Lachlan is involved. Do you know who Lachlan is? That’s a very unusual name, Lachlan Murdoch,” Trump remarked. He also noted that Rupert Murdoch is “probably going to be in the group.”
This revelation follows a framework agreement reached last week between Washington and Beijing, designed to keep TikTok operating within the US. The app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced a nationwide ban since January 19, 2025, after the parent company failed to meet a divestiture deadline.
Lawmakers have long expressed concerns that TikTok could compromise user data, potentially giving the Chinese government access to sensitive information, which could be used for surveillance or influence operations.
Trump had delayed the ban multiple times as negotiations with China continued, with the most recent deadline set for September 17. Under the expected deal, TikTok’s US assets would be predominantly owned by American investors and managed by a board with national security expertise. ByteDance is expected to retain less than 20% of the new venture.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the agreement would guarantee that TikTok “will be majority-owned by Americans in the United States.”
However, a White House spokesperson did not specify whether Lachlan Murdoch would be appointed to the board. Media reported that he is not likely to be directly involved, although Fox Corp., which he now controls, could play a role. Earlier this month, Lachlan Murdoch officially took charge of both Fox Corp. and News Corp., while Rupert Murdoch continues to hold significant influence over the family's media empire.
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