Lachlan Murdoch is set to join a coalition of American investors, including allies of Donald Trump, aiming to acquire TikTok’s US operations.
Published On 21 Sep 2025
Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, has announced that media mogul Lachlan Murdoch will be part of a consortium of American investors aiming to take over TikTok’s US-based operations.
During an appearance on Fox News’ Sunday Briefing, Trump explained that the transaction would shift TikTok’s American assets away from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, placing them under US ownership. He characterized the group as influential figures and “true American patriots.”
Trump expressed confidence in the group’s ability to manage TikTok effectively, noting the platform’s role in helping him connect with younger voters during the 2024 election cycle.
Among the investors is Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle and a notable Republican contributor. Lachlan Murdoch’s father, Rupert Murdoch, has long supported conservative causes, though his relationship with Trump is complex, especially as Trump is currently engaged in litigation against him.
This effort would grant Trump’s corporate allies significant sway over TikTok, an app with approximately 170 million users in the US, which plays a major role in shaping political and cultural conversations.
Lachlan Murdoch, who leads Fox Corp, recently solidified his control over the family’s media holdings-including Fox News and the Wall Street Journal-after resolving a protracted legal dispute with his siblings. Trump also hinted that Rupert Murdoch, now 94, might participate in the acquisition.
While Murdoch’s media outlets generally attract a conservative audience, they have occasionally clashed with Trump. The former president has filed a defamation lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal over a July article linking him to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The newspaper stands by its reporting.
Other business leaders mentioned by Trump include Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, who, alongside Ellison, has been involved in prior discussions about TikTok’s future in the US.
Legislation enacted during Joe Biden’s presidency mandates that ByteDance divest its TikTok operations in the United States. This bipartisan law stems from concerns that the Chinese government could access American users’ data through the app.
Beyond security issues, TikTok has become a platform where support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel have grown among young Americans, prompting some pro-Israel politicians to blame the app for shifting public opinion.
Following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza, Trump’s former Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for a TikTok ban, accusing the platform of promoting anti-Israel content.
During his first term, Trump sought to ban TikTok, signing two executive orders in August 2020 aimed at restricting the app. However, he later reversed course, pledging to “save” TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign.
Negotiations over TikTok’s ownership have since been linked to broader trade discussions between the US and China.
China has consistently rejected US lawmakers’ allegations that it compels apps like TikTok to collect personal data on behalf of the state.
