High Stakes: Trump Reportedly Engaged in TikTok Sale Talks with Tech & Media Titans

In a surprising twist that could redefine the future of the immensely popular social media platform TikTok, former President Donald Trump is reportedly engaged in high-stakes discussions with a trio of powerful business magnates concerning a potential acquisition of the app. Sources familiar with the matter, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, indicate that Trump is in talks with media titan Rupert Murdoch, Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell, and Oracle chairman Larry Ellison, exploring a deal that could avert TikTok's impending ban in the United States.

This revelation adds a new, intriguing layer to the ongoing saga surrounding TikTok, which has been under intense scrutiny from U.S.

lawmakers for years over national security concerns. The discussions are particularly noteworthy given President Joe Biden recently signed a bipartisan bill that mandates TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app to an American entity within nine months, or face a complete ban from U.S.

app stores.

The former President's involvement marks a fascinating evolution in his stance on TikTok. During his administration, Trump was a vocal proponent of either forcing a sale of the app to a U.S. company or outright banning it, citing fears that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government.

However, more recently, Trump has expressed reservations about a ban, suggesting it could negatively impact young users and potentially bolster the market dominance of rival platforms like Facebook, which he has publicly criticized.

This isn't the first time prominent American companies have been linked to a potential TikTok buyout.

In 2020, during Trump's presidency, Oracle and Walmart were at the forefront of negotiations to acquire a stake in the app, a deal that ultimately fell through amidst regulatory complexities and a change in White House administration.

The current discussions, involving figures of the caliber of Murdoch, Dell, and Ellison, signal a serious and concerted effort to find an American solution for TikTok.

Murdoch, with his vast media empire including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, brings unparalleled influence and a deep understanding of media landscapes. Michael Dell, a visionary in technology, and Larry Ellison, a software giant, represent the kind of tech leadership and financial muscle required for such a monumental acquisition.

Despite the high-profile nature of the participants, the path forward remains fraught with uncertainty.

It is currently unclear what role, if any, Trump would play in or endorse such a deal, especially considering his previously stated concerns about TikTok's influence on children. The potential sale represents a critical juncture for TikTok's future in the U.S. and underscores the complex interplay of technology, geopolitics, and high-stakes business maneuvering.