The TikTok story in the United States is taking another twist, with former President Donald Trump revealing that Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan might be part of the investor group backing the app’s U.S. spinoff. Trump made the comments during an interview on Fox News, where he hinted at high-profile names expected to participate in the deal.
Trump stated that Lachlan Murdoch, the CEO of Fox Corp, is already involved and that his father Rupert “is probably going to be in the group.” While he did not clarify whether their involvement would be personal or corporate, the suggestion has already fueled speculation about media industry ties to the popular short-form video platform.
Adding to the list of potential backers, Trump mentioned Oracle’s executive chairman Larry Ellison and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell. Both figures have long-standing business ties with U.S. tech ventures, and their names strengthen the perception that the deal will involve some of the most influential American corporate leaders.
White House Confirms Framework of the Deal
On Saturday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that a preliminary agreement has been reached, though it has yet to be signed. She explained that under the terms, TikTok’s U.S. operations would be spun out into a new company with majority American ownership.
According to Leavitt, six of seven board seats in the restructured company will be held by U.S. citizens, while the algorithm that powers TikTok’s viral content will be controlled within the United States. She emphasized that these conditions have already been agreed upon, with the signing expected within days.
Bloomberg further reported that other investors, including Oracle, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, and private equity group Silver Lake Management, will join the deal. Oracle is expected to take responsibility for security and data safety, a core issue that has driven political concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership.
ByteDance to Retain a Small Stake
The Chinese parent company ByteDance will reportedly hold less than a 20% stake in the new entity. This is a significant reduction from its current control and aligns with U.S. lawmakers’ demands for American oversight of the platform.
The move follows a federal bill passed last year that sought to ban TikTok in January, just before Trump returned to the White House. The app briefly went dark in the U.S., but Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance to secure American investors.
In a statement, TikTok expressed gratitude to both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping for supporting the negotiations. The company reaffirmed its commitment to comply with all applicable legal requirements to ensure TikTok remains accessible to U.S. users.
Deal Seen as Turning Point for TikTok in America
If signed, the deal would mark a turning point for TikTok, securing its long-term presence in the U.S. while easing political and security concerns. By handing over board control, data management, and its algorithm to American entities, TikTok appears set to remain a key player in the social media landscape — but under a new balance of power.
For now, all eyes are on the final signing, which could reshape both TikTok’s operations and the future of global tech deals involving U.S.-China relations.
