Trump Suggests Murdochs May Join TikTok Deal Amid US Ownership Shift

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 may be part of the group of American investors purchasing social media platform TikTok from Chinese ownership at ByteDance. The news has sparked both excitement and skepticism among industry observers. According to Trump, "A man named Lachlan is involved," but clarified that he was indeed referring to Lachlan Murdoch, son of conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch. When asked if the Murdochs would be part of the deal, Trump replied, "I think they're going to be in the group." The statement has left many wondering about the implications of this potential partnership. Background on the TikTok deal is essential to understanding its significance. In August 2020, ByteDance announced plans to sell a majority stake in TikTok to an American company due to pressure from the US government over concerns about data security and censorship. Oracle Corporation was initially chosen as the preferred bidder, but negotiations stalled. Industry analysts see this development as a significant shift in the deal's dynamics. "The involvement of the Murdochs would bring a level of credibility and influence to the deal," said media analyst Rebecca Grant. "Their reputation for conservative values may also alleviate concerns about censorship and data security." However, not everyone is convinced that the Murdochs' participation will resolve these issues. "This deal has been plagued by uncertainty from the start," noted digital rights activist Evan Greer. "We need to see concrete commitments on transparency and accountability before we can trust any new ownership structure." As negotiations continue, it remains unclear what this partnership would mean for TikTok's user base, employees, or content moderation policies. The platform has become a cultural phenomenon among younger generations, with over 1 billion active users worldwide. The current status of the deal is uncertain, and it is unclear when a final agreement will be reached. Trump's comments have added another layer of complexity to an already intricate situation. As the details unfold, one thing is certain: the fate of TikTok hangs in the balance, with far-reaching implications for social media, politics, and culture. Sources: Donald Trump, interview on Fox News' The Sunday Briefing Rebecca Grant, media analyst Evan Greer, digital rights activist *Reporting by Gizmodo.*