Rupert Murdoch and his son, Lachlan Murdoch, may soon invest in TikTok in the U.S., according to former President Donald Trump. He shared this in an interview with Peter Doocy on “The Sunday Briefing” on Fox News.
Trump mentioned that the sale of the Chinese-owned app, currently owned by ByteDance, could be finalized soon. There have been mixed signals about the deal’s status, but he noted high-profile names like Larry Ellison and Michael Dell may be involved, along with the Murdochs.
“They’re great people and American patriots,” Trump said, expressing confidence in their ability to handle the company well. The connection comes amid ongoing tensions between TikTok and the U.S. government, especially regarding national security and user privacy. In 2024, Congress approved a law that would prohibit TikTok from operating in the U.S. unless sold to an American company.
The app has around 170 million users in the U.S., and Trump claimed it played a role in his presidential campaign. In a related announcement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that six out of seven board members of the new TikTok entity would be American. Oracle, Ellison’s company, will manage data and privacy, ensuring the U.S. retains control over the app’s data and algorithms.
This potential deal reflects a growing trend of national scrutiny over foreign-owned tech companies. Experts warn that app acquisitions can significantly impact user privacy and data security.
According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 70% of Americans express concern about the data privacy policies of social media platforms. This reflects a broader unease about foreign influence in technology, making the TikTok situation increasingly relevant.
Overall, the evolving landscape surrounding TikTok highlights the intersection of technology, privacy, and national interests.
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