U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that a group of prominent American business leaders, including Lachlan Murdoch, Larry Ellison, and Michael Dell, would invest in a proposed deal for TikTok. The deal aims to keep the popular social media app running in the United States by transferring its American assets from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to U.S. ownership.
Trump, speaking on Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing,” praised the group as notable individuals and American patriots. He expressed confidence that they would do a good job. He also recognized TikTok’s role in helping him gain support among young voters for the 2024 presidential election. The President’s comments come amid ongoing economic discussions with China, which include negotiations over the social media app.
This proposed deal marks a change from the previous administration’s approach. The Trump administration has chosen not to enforce a U.S. law passed during the Biden administration that required TikTok’s sale. This law was enacted out of concern that the Chinese government might access the app’s U.S. user data. With 170 million users in the United States, TikTok’s ownership has become a critical topic in U.S.-China relations.
Lachlan Murdoch, the CEO of Fox Corp, is a key figure in this effort. His involvement follows a recent settlement of a legal dispute with his siblings, which secured his long-term control over his family’s media empire, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. The participation of influential figures like Murdoch, Ellison, and Dell highlights the high stakes of this deal, which could significantly impact technology, media, and international relations.
