Trump Fuels Speculation: Could the Murdochs Lead a U.S. Takeover of TikTok?

Former President Donald Trump has once again thrust the future of TikTok into the spotlight, igniting speculation that media moguls Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch might be exploring a significant play for the immensely popular social media platform. During a recent interview with Fox News, Trump revealed a conversation with Rupert Murdoch, suggesting a keen interest from the Murdoch family in joining a U.S.

investor consortium to acquire TikTok's American operations.

This revelation echoes the dramatic events of 2020, when the Trump administration mounted a forceful campaign to compel ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest its U.S. assets. The move was driven by profound national security concerns, with U.S.

officials fearing that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government, potentially compromising American citizens' privacy and national interests. That earlier saga saw tech giants like Oracle – led by Larry Ellison – and Microsoft, in partnership with Walmart, emerge as frontrunners in a potential acquisition.

Ultimately, a full sale never materialized, with Oracle instead becoming a "trusted technology partner" for TikTok, a solution that left many questions unanswered regarding the app's ultimate ownership and data security.

The current landscape sees renewed legislative pressure targeting TikTok.

A bipartisan bill is making its way through Congress, threatening an outright ban of the app in the U.S. if ByteDance fails to divest within a specified timeframe. This legislative push underscores the ongoing anxieties within Washington regarding the perceived risks associated with TikTok's Chinese ownership.

President Biden's administration has largely maintained its predecessor's stance, reiterating concerns about the platform's potential national security implications.

The Murdochs, through their extensive holdings in News Corp and Fox Corp, command a vast media empire encompassing news, publishing, and entertainment.

A foray into acquiring TikTok would represent a monumental expansion into the rapidly evolving social media landscape, offering a direct conduit to millions of users, particularly younger demographics. Trump's comments, "I actually had a conversation with Rupert [Murdoch], and I think he's looking to buy it, or at least very interested," suggest that the Murdochs might view TikTok not just as a profitable venture but as a strategic asset in an increasingly digital-first world.

The former President underscored his long-held belief that a "great American company" should ultimately own TikTok, emphasizing that "it's an incredible company, it's a great asset" but needs to be in American hands.

This latest development adds another complex layer to TikTok's precarious position in the U.S. market, reigniting the high-stakes corporate and political drama surrounding one of the world's most influential social media platforms. The coming months will likely reveal whether Trump's suggestion is mere speculation or a genuine precursor to another intense bidding war for TikTok's American future.