TikTok Deal May Include Murdoch and Oracle Investors

Big names from media, tech, and private equity are lining up as TikTok prepares for an American-led ownership structure, according to details discussed in TechCrunch's event coverage. As TikTok faces regulatory hurdles, the fate of its U.S. operations will impact millions of creators and marketers.

Trump revealed over the weekend that both Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch may join the investor group supporting TikTok's spinoff from ByteDance. Oracle's Larry Ellison and Dell's Michael Dell are also likely to participate. These names add to an already high-profile roster eyeing control of one of the world's leading short-form video apps.

While Trump did not specify whether the Murdochs would be investing personally or through their company, follow-up reports confirm that Fox Corp, led by CEO Lachlan Murdoch, is in talks to join the effort. The group's broader composition includes Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake Management, per Bloomberg. If finalized, ByteDance would retain less than a 20% stake.

The restructuring plan calls for Americans to hold six of seven TikTok board seats, putting majority control—and the app's core algorithm—squarely under U.S. oversight. The White House has signaled all terms have been agreed upon and expects a signature within days.

This deal responds to last year's federal law threatening to ban TikTok in the United States. Earlier in 2025, TikTok briefly disappeared from American phones before a series of deadline extensions kept it online. The path forward cleared after a signal of approval from China's President Xi Jinping.

While the White House is projecting that a deal is imminent, it's worth noting that Chinese state media has been less definitive. According to China Daily, talks between the U.S. and China on TikTok have been described as “pragmatic and constructive,” but the Chinese government maintains its commitment to securing its interests and has not publicly confirmed the approval of any deal. As they put it: “Through the talks, China has made clear that it supports Chinese companies’ adding investment in the U.S., which the U.S. side has aimed for, while Washington should shape an inviting climate for investors, make the play fair, and achieve a win-win situation, rather than forcing a deal or blackmailing.”

Additionally, the terms circulating in Washington are designed to align with the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. New details emerging from the pending agreement include:

Majority American ownership of TikTok U.S.

U.S.-controlled board of directors (six out of seven seats), with ByteDance able to select one representative

Prominent U.S. business leaders expected as board members—including Larry Ellison (Oracle), Michael Dell (Dell), and Lachlan Murdoch (Fox Corp)

The U.S. government will not hold a board seat in the new entity

TikTok U.S. is expected to lease its algorithm from ByteDance rather than owning it outright

Oracle will work on creating and maintaining a U.S.-only version of TikTok's algorithm

Oracle tasked with securing the platform's infrastructure

ByteDance with less than 20% ownership

Continued negotiations with Fox Corp and key executives joining as possible investors

The U.S. government is reportedly set to collect a multi-billion dollar fee from investors as part of the deal

This bid involves powerful figures who have shaped media and technology for decades. Rupert Murdoch's participation brings traditional media influence, while Oracle represents Silicon Valley. The unique blend may strengthen TikTok's ties to U.S. policy makers and business leaders.

Marketers and creators who rely on TikTok for organic social media growth have reason to monitor developments closely. The new ownership group could set different standards for content, algorithms, and data governance. This, in turn, may influence discoverability and monetization options, depending on how aligned the group's philosophy is with TikTok's creator-first culture.

TikTok and ByteDance have issued cautious statements regarding the timeline and terms, with ByteDance notably referring to the latest U.S. deadline extension as it arranges a sale (company statement). While the White House says a signature is imminent, the deal’s final form may still hinge on continued negotiations with both U.S. and Chinese authorities. The state of play remains fluid, with some observers remaining skeptical until the ink is dry.

For those seeking a more detailed look at the nuts and bolts of the negotiation, TikTok Deal Approval: Trump, ByteDance Move Forward lays out the step-by-step progress of the spinoff.

If the deal closes as expected, U.S. creators and brands will likely see greater predictability in TikTok strategy—and possibly, innovation driven by American investment and technical expertise. The short-form video battleground remains more competitive than ever, but this chapter could bring stability to a platform essential for modern organic social campaigns.