Trump Says Murdochs Set to Join Bid for TikTok’s US Operations

The battle over TikTok’s future in the United States appears to be nearing an end, with President Donald Trump confirming that media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his eldest son, Lachlan, are set to join a group of American investors taking control of the video-sharing platform’s US operations.

For months, Washington has been locked in a standoff with TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, over fears that the Chinese government could access American user data. Trump, who returned to the White House in January, has made the divestment of TikTok’s US operations a priority, presenting it as a national security issue.

On Sunday, during an interview with Fox News, the president revealed that the Murdochs, owners of Fox News and News Corp, are part of the consortium negotiating to purchase TikTok’s US business. The group already includes Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and tech billionaire Michael Dell, two of Trump’s long-time allies.

While he did not provide details of the exact stake the Murdochs would hold or the size of the deal, Trump stressed that the aim was to place TikTok under “patriotic American leadership” and ensure it operates independently of Chinese influence.

A Long-Running Battle Over TikTok’s Future

The move marks the latest development in a saga that has spanned multiple administrations. Concerns over TikTok’s data handling first gained traction under Trump’s previous term in office, when he issued executive orders seeking to ban the app unless ByteDance sold its US operations. Those orders were tied up in court, delaying enforcement, and were later shelved under President Joe Biden.

But Trump revived the fight shortly after returning to office this year, citing fresh intelligence reports warning of possible risks to US citizens’ personal information. The administration has since worked to structure a deal that would keep TikTok operational in the country while satisfying security agencies’ concerns.

Negotiations have taken place against a backdrop of mounting geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing. By bringing together a group of influential American investors, including major figures in technology and media, the White House hopes to reassure both lawmakers and users that TikTok will not be used as a tool for surveillance or foreign propaganda.

Industry watchers say the involvement of the Murdochs could significantly shape TikTok’s trajectory in the US market. Their media empire, which spans television, print, and digital platforms across three continents, has long played a key role in shaping public opinion. Analysts suggest that under their partial ownership, TikTok could lean more heavily into domestic content production and explore new ways of integrating news and entertainment.

Deal Close to Completion

The White House said over the weekend that the board of the new company controlling TikTok’s US operations would be “dominated by American citizens” and that a final agreement could be signed within days. Details of the ownership structure are still being finalized, but ByteDance is expected to lose control of the platform’s US business as part of the deal.

Such a takeover would have significant implications for TikTok’s 170 million users in the United States, many of whom feared an outright ban that could have rendered the app unusable nationwide. Instead, the platform appears headed for a new chapter under American management—one that could bring changes to its algorithm, advertising model, and approach to content moderation.

For the Murdochs, the investment would represent a major expansion of their influence beyond traditional media. It could also give them a stake in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital platforms at a time when social video is increasingly dominating the attention of younger audiences.

The development comes just weeks after Rupert Murdoch’s children settled control of the family empire, formally cementing Lachlan Murdoch’s position as executive chairman and CEO. That resolution appears to have freed the family to make bold new investments, TikTok now being one of the most consequential.

With the clock ticking on the deadline for ByteDance to complete the sale, observers say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the deal satisfies lawmakers, regulators, and users alike. If successful, the agreement could bring an end to years of uncertainty and allow TikTok to solidify its position as a major force in the US digital economy under homegrown leadership.