In a recent development, former President Donald Trump indicated that the United States is nearing a significant deal regarding the purchase of TikTok, a popular social media platform. This statement coincided with a Fox News interview where Trump discussed the potential involvement of prominent media figures Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch in the acquisition. Trump stated, “We’re close,” referencing the ongoing efforts by his administration to facilitate a sale to a U.S. company amid ongoing scrutiny from lawmakers about national security concerns associated with the app’s parent company, ByteDance.
Since the passing of a law banning TikTok in 2024, which President Joe Biden endorsed, Trump has been orchestrating delays in its enforcement, suggesting that the app’s user base has played a pivotal role in his political aspirations for the upcoming 2024 elections. During his interview with Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy, he alluded to prospective buyers in a casual tone, saying individuals like Larry Ellison from Oracle and Michael Dell are involved, alongside Lachlan Murdoch, whom Trump whimsically referred to as having a “very unusual name.”
Doocy, for his part, humorously noted that at Fox, Lachlan Murdoch is simply known as “Mr. Murdoch.” Trump responded that Rupert Murdoch would also likely participate in the purchase, sharing that a variety of “very prominent people” were engaged in negotiations. The details about negotiations and the potential impact of the sale have attracted significant attention from various stakeholders, including The Independent, which has reached out for comments from Fox Corporation and the Murdoch family.
Upon taking office in April, Trump issued an executive order that momentarily halted the enforcement of the TikTok ban, extending protections for ByteDance multiple times since then. This move has been viewed by many legislators as an attempt to alleviate concerns about national security tied to the app due to its ownership based in China and alleged ties to the Chinese government. Critics have highlighted fears that ByteDance could be compelled to share data from U.S. users with the Chinese Communist Party. There are also concerns regarding the platform’s algorithm potentially spreading misinformation or propagating narratives contrary to U.S. policies, including discussions around Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In January, Trump remarked that he had effectively “saved” TikTok for millions of American users who opposed the ban. In April, he confidently claimed progress on a deal, stating, “My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent further revealed that a conversation would be held between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, aiming to finalize the agreement, although he refrained from elaborating on the specific terms, citing the private nature of the transaction.
Amidst these discussions, Trump did not reveal whether the deal had been finalized nor the anticipated purchase price, suggesting only that it involves “a tremendous amount of money.” Some analysts speculated that the delayed negotiations could lead to a broader trade agreement with China, especially following Trump’s imposition of reciprocal tariffs that had obstructed the deal’s progress.
The bipartisan law that enacted the TikTok ban has sparked frustration among progressive lawmakers, who express concerns over the implications of allowing Trump to potentially benefit politically and financially from the sale. Notably, Trump had also previously sought to ban TikTok during his first term but retracted that action following legal challenges.
As the narrative surrounding TikTok and its future in the U.S. evolves, reactions among lawmakers have surfaced. Florida Representative Maxwell Frost recently tweeted his commitment to transparency about the legislative process surrounding the ban, reflecting ongoing debates about the implications of foreign ownership of social media platforms.
