TikTok deal in the US: The Murdochs are also expected to join in

Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan are "probably" involved in the TikTok deal, US President Donald Trump told US broadcaster Fox News. Just before the weekend, Trump had emphasized that an agreement had been reached with China: a consortium consisting of Oracle, the investment companies Andreessen Horowitz and Silver Lake would make the app available in and for the US.

"A man named Lachlan is involved," TechCrunch quotes Trump as saying: "Lachlan Murdoch... Rupert [Murdoch] is expected to be in the group, I believe both will be in the group." Lachlan Murdoch is head of the US media group Fox Corporation, which also owns Fox News and the Wall Street Journal. Rupert Murdoch is considered one of the richest and most influential publishers in the world – in retirement.

Although the Murdochs are considered conservative, they have also clashed with Trump in the past, most recently because of a lawsuit Trump filed against the Wall Street Journal. Trump is demanding that information about Jeffrey Epstein remain under wraps. Rupert Murdoch is said to have already publicly called Trump an "idiot." Nevertheless, Fox News remains the US president's preferred channel.

It is unclear whether the Murdochs, as private individuals or as part of their companies, should or want to enter the TikTok business. Trump's interview was broadcast on Sunday.

TikTok takeover from the conservative camp

Trump's White House spokeswoman had already said that an agreement with China would be reached. It just hasn't been signed yet. According to the agreement, six of the seven seats on the new supervisory board of the restructured app will go to Americans. The algorithm will also be controlled by the US. Initially, it was said that it would continue to be controlled from China. On Friday, TikTok had already expressed its gratitude to Xi Jinping and Trump "for their efforts to keep TikTok in the US." However, a statement from China sounds much more open.

Trump also confirmed that Oracle founder Larry Ellison and Dell CEO Michael Dell would continue to be involved in the deal. However, it remains unclear exactly how the consortium will work together and operate.

(emw)