TikTok Deal: Meet The World Billionaires Involved in the Deal

Trump Taps Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and Murdochs in High-Stakes TikTok Deal

The TikTok drama just got a lot more star-studded. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump revealed that some of the biggest names in tech and media, including Oracle’s Larry Ellison, Dell Technologies’ Michael Dell, and Fox Corp. executives Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, will play key roles in the highly anticipated deal to secure TikTok’s future in the United States.

On Fox News’ Sunday Briefing, Trump casually dropped the names of the business heavyweights who are set to be part of the group acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations and, crucially, its closely guarded algorithm. “You know, they’re very well-known people. And Larry Ellison is one of them. He’s involved. He’s a great guy. Michael Dell is involved. I hate to tell you this, but a man named Lachlan is involved,” Trump said, referring to Lachlan Murdoch, the CEO of Fox Corp. He added that Lachlan’s father, Rupert Murdoch, “is probably going to be in the group” as well.

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The Murdochs’ involvement signals that Fox Corp. could emerge as more than just a media player in this deal, it may become a digital powerhouse. With traditional television struggling and digital media investments becoming more attractive, joining the TikTok consortium could give Fox a major boost.

This lineup of investors is a notable shift from the group of backers previously floated by the Trump administration. Initially, the deal was expected to involve Oracle, Silver Lake, and venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz. While Oracle is still firmly in the mix, continuing its role as TikTok’s U.S. data host since 2020, the addition of figures like Dell and the Murdochs gives the consortium a distinctly more corporate and media-oriented flavor. Michael Dell brings the weight of one of America’s biggest tech hardware companies, while Larry Ellison, long known for his strong relationship with Trump, adds credibility as a tech veteran who has already been central to TikTok’s U.S. data management.

The Americanization of TikTok

One of the main conditions for TikTok’s continued presence in the U.S. was set by Congress in April 2024, when lawmakers passed a bill requiring the app to divest about 80% of its assets to American investors. Without compliance, TikTok faced a nationwide ban.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that TikTok’s new board will consist of seven members, six of whom must be American. Oracle is expected to play a leading role in overseeing data security and privacy for U.S. users, a critical sticking point in negotiations that had dragged on for years. Trump also emphasized that his recent call with Chinese President Xi Jinping was “very productive,” hinting that the finishing touches of the deal may be closer than many expected.

This deal is about far more than keeping viral dance trends alive. It represents a major rebalancing of power in the global tech landscape. For the U.S., ensuring TikTok’s data and algorithm remain under American oversight is about national security, economic leverage, and cultural influence. For China, agreeing to these terms is a concession in an ongoing tug-of-war over technology dominance. And for Trump, bringing in a roster of recognizable, respected (and wealthy) American business leaders not only strengthens the deal but also frames it as a win for both American business and national security.

The inclusion of figures like Ellison, Dell, and the Murdochs suggests that TikTok’s American chapter won’t just be about keeping an app alive, it could reshape how media, technology, and politics intersect in the U.S. The platform is no longer simply a playground for creators; it’s a geopolitical chess piece.

As Washington edges closer to finalizing this deal, one thing is clear: TikTok’s future will be written not just in code, but in boardrooms filled with some of the most powerful names in American business and media.