Move FM Australian News

WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump said media mogul Rupert Murdoch, his son Lachlan Murdoch, and Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell could be part of a U.S. group taking control of TikTok, adding high-profile names to a fast-evolving deal over the Chinese-owned video app.

In a Fox News interview aired on September 21, Trump said, “I think they’re going to be in the group. A couple of others. Really great people, very prominent people. And they’re also American patriots, you know, they love this country. I think they’re going to do a really good job.”

Trump also confirmed Oracle founder Larry Ellison’s involvement, which had already been disclosed. A day earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Oracle would handle the app’s data and security, while Americans would control six of seven seats on a planned TikTok board.

The president discussed the potential deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a call on Friday. U.S. and Chinese officials are now working toward a Dec. 16 deadline to finalize terms.

TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, faces a looming U.S. ban under legislation set to take effect in January unless its American operations are sold. Officials have warned that Beijing could exploit the platform’s algorithm to influence users without detection.

Trump acknowledged Sunday that he was “a little prejudiced” about TikTok, crediting the app with helping him reach young voters. He said conservative activist Charlie Kirk encouraged him to use the platform.

Representatives for Ellison, Dell, and the Murdochs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The revelations came despite Trump’s rocky relationship with the Murdochs. In July, he sued Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal over reporting on his ties to financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.