Trump says TikTok buyer group includes Rupert Murdoch, Michael Dell
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Donald Trump said that Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, and Michael Dell are part of a US investor group pursuing control of TikTok.
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The logo for TikTok is displayed on a mobile phone, Friday, January 17, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
US President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday, September 21, that Rupert Murdoch, his son Lachlan Murdoch, and tech entrepreneur Michael Dell are expected to be part of a group of US investors pursuing a deal for TikTok.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News’ The Sunday Briefing, Trump listed the names while discussing efforts to bring the app under United States control.
“Michael Dell is involved. … Lachlan Murdoch … and Rupert is probably going to be in the group,” Trump said.
However, a person familiar with negotiations told Axios that any investment would likely come from Fox Corp., rather than from the Murdochs as individuals.
Read more: Murdoch admits Fox News hosts 'endorsed' idea Biden stole election
Confusion over terms of TikTok deal in the United States
While Trump touted well-known investors, many details remain unclear, including the price, the timing, and the leadership of the potential new entity. Trump has suggested that China has approved a deal, while the White House has insisted an agreement will be finalized “in the coming days.”
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is expected to retain less than 20% ownership in the new US-based entity, which would be governed by a majority-American board.
Congress passed a bipartisan bill last year to ban TikTok unless it was sold to US buyers. When Trump took office, he froze the ban and continued to extend the pause, despite pushback from Republicans who questioned its legality.
The debate over TikTok’s ownership has become a major policy issue, with Trump both suing Rupert Murdoch over The Wall Street Journal coverage of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein while simultaneously promoting Murdoch’s potential involvement in the deal.
Other big names tied to the TikTok consortium
Beyond the Murdochs and Michael Dell, Trump also named Oracle chairman Larry Ellison as part of the group. The White House has previously said Oracle would manage TikTok’s US user data.
Reports from The Wall Street Journal and others indicate that private equity firm Silver Lake and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz are also expected to participate.
The proposed plan is to migrate US users to a new version of TikTok, built by the app’s engineers but operating as a US-controlled platform with its own recommendation algorithm.
The White House maintains that a deal will be signed soon, but it remains unclear exactly who will control the platform and what form the agreement will take.
With investors like Rupert Murdoch and Michael Dell reportedly involved, the outcome could reshape TikTok’s presence in the United States and its global role in the tech industry.
