Trump Hints at Murdochs Joining TikTok Deal
In a recent interview on Fox News' The Sunday Briefing, former President Donald Trump revealed that Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan might be part of the group of American investors buying social media platform TikTok from Chinese ownership ByteDance. Trump's statement sparked both curiosity and skepticism about the deal's details.
According to Trump, "A man named Lachlan is involved," but he clarified that he was indeed referring to Lachlan Murdoch, a prominent figure in the conservative media world. He added, "I think they're going to be in the group." However, the lack of concrete information surrounding the deal has left many questions unanswered.
The proposed acquisition of TikTok by American investors has been shrouded in uncertainty since its announcement. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell are also believed to be involved in the deal. Trump's statement about the Murdochs' potential involvement adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate situation.
Background on the deal reveals that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, has faced increasing pressure from the US government over concerns about data security and censorship. In response, ByteDance agreed to sell a majority stake in TikTok to American investors, with Oracle initially leading the bid. However, the deal's details have been slow to materialize.
Industry experts and analysts have expressed varying opinions on the Murdochs' potential involvement. "This development raises questions about the motivations behind the deal," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a media studies professor at New York University. "The Murdochs are known for their conservative leanings, which could impact TikTok's content moderation policies."
Others see the Murdochs' involvement as a positive step towards ensuring the platform's independence and neutrality. "As long as they're not exerting undue influence over the platform, I think it's a good thing," said social media influencer and TikTok creator, Alex Chen.
The current status of the deal remains uncertain, with no official announcement from ByteDance or the proposed investors. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the Murdochs' potential involvement has added another layer of intrigue to an already complex story.
Byline: AJ Dellinger
*Reporting by Gizmodo.*
