The silhouette of Donald Trump pointing at the TikTok logo, symbolizing the political conflict between the US and the Chinese social network. By kovop / Shutterstock.com.

Politics

Trump’s TikTok Deal: Tech Titans and Media Moguls Team Up to Save the App’s Algorithm

Trump says Ellison, Dell, & Murdochs may buy TikTok‘s US ops amid ban threat, backed by US law.

byEditorial Staff

September 21, 2025, 5:44 PM

Executive Summary

President Donald Trump announced prominent tech and media figures, including Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch, are expected to be involved in the acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. operations.

The acquisition is mandated by April 2024 legislation requiring approximately 80% of TikTok’s U.S. assets to be sold to American investors to avoid a nationwide ban.

Oracle is confirmed to lead TikTok’s U.S. data and privacy initiatives as an American investor, with the new entity having seven board members, six of whom will be American.

The Story So Far

The ongoing efforts to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations are primarily driven by a bill passed by Congress in April 2024, which mandates a nationwide ban on the social media platform unless approximately 80% of its assets are sold to American investors. This legislative requirement has necessitated high-level diplomatic engagement, including discussions between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, to finalize the complex deal. Furthermore, Oracle, already hosting TikTok’s U.S. data since 2020, is positioned to lead the app’s data and privacy initiatives in the United States as part of the new American-owned entity.

Why This Matters

The involvement of prominent U.S. tech and media figures, including Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, in the TikTok acquisition consortium signals a significant step towards meeting the legislative mandate for American ownership, potentially averting a nationwide ban and addressing U.S. data security concerns. This shift could also strategically bolster Fox Corp.’s digital media presence and reflects progress in high-level diplomatic discussions between the U.S. and China regarding the platform’s future.

Who Thinks What?

President Donald Trump announced new prominent tech and media figures, including Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, are expected to be involved in the acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. operations, signaling progress on the deal.

The U.S. Congress and administration mandated the sale of approximately 80% of TikTok’s U.S. assets to American investors to avoid a nationwide ban, outlining that the new entity would have a majority American board and Oracle leading data and privacy initiatives.

Prominent tech and media figures such as Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch are expected to participate in the consortium acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations and its algorithm, shifting the previously discussed investor landscape.

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that prominent tech and media figures, including Oracle founder Larry Ellison, Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell, and Fox Corp. executives Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch, are expected to be involved in the acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. operations, specifically concerning its algorithm. This development marks a shift in the investor consortium previously discussed for the social media platform, which is facing a nationwide ban unless its American assets are sold to U.S. investors.

New Names Emerge in TikTok Deal

Speaking on Fox News’ “Sunday Briefing,” President Trump confirmed the involvement of these high-profile individuals. He referred to them as “very well-known people,” specifically naming Larry Ellison and Michael Dell. Trump also noted that Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corp., and his father, Rupert Murdoch, founder of Fox Corp., are likely to be part of the group.

The potential involvement of the Murdochs suggests that Fox Corp. itself could become part of the consortium, rather than just individual investment. This move could strategically bolster Fox Corp., which has been actively investing in digital media to counteract declines in traditional broadcast television sectors.

Shifting Investor Landscape and Legislative Mandate

Trump’s announcement represents a change from earlier reports regarding the TikTok deal’s investor group. Previously, the administration had indicated that the consortium would include Ellison’s company, Oracle, alongside investment firms Silver Lake and Andreessen Horowitz.

The requirement for American ownership stems from a bill passed by Congress in April 2024. This legislation mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok operations in the United States unless approximately 80% of its assets are sold to American investors.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Saturday that the new TikTok entity would have seven board members, with six being American. She also confirmed that Oracle, already hosting TikTok’s U.S. data since 2020, would lead the app’s data and privacy initiatives in the United States and serve as one of the American investors.

Diplomatic Progress

The discussions surrounding the TikTok acquisition have also involved high-level diplomatic engagement. President Trump reported on Friday that he had a “very productive call” with Chinese President Xi Jinping, indicating progress toward finalizing the complex deal.