On 21/9, in an interview with Fox News, Mr. Trump stated that "very famous people" would be involved in the TikTok purchase. "Larry Ellison is one of them. Michael Dell will be involved. A person named Lachlan as well", he said.
Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corp, is the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Mr. Trump said Rupert "might also join this group".
Last week, President Trump announced he had found a group of investors to buy TikTok in the US, but did not disclose details. Previously, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US and China had reached a framework agreement on TikTok, and the two leaders would meet to finalize the deal.
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Rupert Murdoch (left), Larry Ellison, and Michael Dell will join the TikTok deal. Photo: Aletihad |
Rupert Murdoch (left), Larry Ellison, and Michael Dell will join the TikTok deal. Photo: Aletihad
CNN, citing a source close to the matter, said Mr. Murdoch's presence could lead to Fox Corp joining the investor alliance. Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch will not invest personally. This could help Fox Corp gain revenue to offset declining sectors, such as television.
Dell is the CEO of computer manufacturer Dell Technologies, while Ellison is the chairman of software giant Oracle.
Mr. Trump's latest comment suggests a change in the investor alliance involved in the TikTok US purchase. Previously, the US government said the group included Oracle, Silver Lake, and Andreessen Horowitz.
On 20/9, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that TikTok would have 7 board members, 6 of whom would be from the US.
The US investor structure is required by a law passed by Congress in 4/2024. Under the law, TikTok would be banned in the world's largest economy if the app doesn't sell about 80% of its assets to US investors.
Ms. Leavitt also said Oracle would be responsible for the app's data and privacy in the US. The company began storing data for TikTok in the US in 2020.
President Donald Trump also said he had "a very productive call" with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 19/9 and made progress toward finalizing the agreement.
TikTok currently has about 170 million users in the US. US officials are concerned that China could use the platform to collect user data. However, TikTok has consistently denied this.
Ha Thu (according to CNN, Reuters)
