Published: September 22, 2025 ✍️ Author: Global World Citizen Newsroom 🌐 Source: GlobalWorldCitizen.com
Introduction
The future of TikTok in the United States is once again making headlines, as former President Donald Trump revealed that Lachlan Murdoch, heir to Rupert Murdoch’s global media empire, may be part of the high-stakes deal to keep the app operational in the U.S. The deal comes amid strict government regulations requiring Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest ownership of TikTok to avoid a nationwide ban.
Key Facts on the TikTok Deal
Speaking with Fox News’ Peter Doocy on The Sunday Briefing, Trump confirmed that several prominent American billionaires are central to the new deal.
Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, and Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, are already confirmed as key figures.
Trump suggested Lachlan Murdoch could join the group of investors—possibly alongside his father, Rupert Murdoch, further strengthening U.S. control of the company.
Under the proposed structure, American investors would control six of TikTok’s seven board seats, as well as its powerful algorithm.
Who Are the Murdochs?
Lachlan Murdoch is the eldest son of Rupert Murdoch, founder of a media empire that includes Fox Corporation and News Corp (owner of The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, and HarperCollins).
The Murdoch family recently settled a long-running succession dispute, cementing Lachlan’s control of the family trust until at least 2050.
Forbes estimates the Murdoch family’s net worth at $23.9 billion, built primarily through global media holdings in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
Trump, TikTok, and Politics
In July 2025, Trump sued Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal after it published allegations linking Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump denied the claims.
Despite his earlier attempts to ban TikTok by executive order, Trump has since credited the app for boosting his youth voter support in the 2024 election.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a bipartisan law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a permanent ban.
Why This Deal Matters
The TikTok deal is more than business—it’s about geopolitics, technology, and media power.
With U.S. billionaires like Ellison, Dell, and potentially the Murdochs stepping in, TikTok could remain online while ensuring American control over data, security, and its algorithm.
For global citizens, this deal reflects the ongoing tug-of-war between China and the U.S. for dominance in the digital economy.
Global World Citizen Insight 
TikTok’s future is a symbol of the new digital economy, where control over data, algorithms, and global influence defines power. The participation of Lachlan Murdoch signals that the world’s top media families recognize TikTok as not just an entertainment app, but a strategic global media platform shaping culture, politics, and business.