The continued negotiations over the Chinese-owned app TikTok have become a key part of U.S.-China trade relations under the Trump administration. Former President Donald Trump trumpeted that media executive Lachlan Murdoch—along with other media moguls—are joining a group of American investors. Combined, these firms have the means and motive to completely control TikTok’s U.S. operations. This initiative could empower Trump’s allies in corporate America, influencing a platform that boasts approximately 170 million U.S. users and plays a significant role in shaping political and cultural discourse.
Yet during his first term, Trump repeatedly proposed banning TikTok, signing two executive orders in August 2020 that would effectively ban the app’s operations. He contended that the app was a security threat. Its ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance raises concerns that Beijing could use the app to gain access to American users’ data. As part of his recent “rebranding,” Trump seems to have reversed course. Now, while campaigning for re-election in 2024, he has committed himself to “saving” TikTok. So far, he says the social media platform has been crucial to his efforts to build support with younger voters. This demographic is key to his political ambitions.
The urgency on TikTok has increased. This comes after a new U.S. law signed by President Joe Biden, which forces ByteDance to divest itself of its TikTok operations. This legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support because of rising security fears. Here in the U.S., legislators are rightly concerned about the risk that the Chinese government could access sensitive data. In reply, China unequivocally rejects these allegations, asserting that it does not require apps such as TikTok to gather personal data for use by the government.
Against this backdrop, one of the architects of this plan—Trump’s erstwhile Secretary of State, Marco Rubio—sprang into action. He advocated for a TikTok ban soon after hostilities erupted in Gaza. Rubio’s concerns that the app promotes anti-Israel content reflect increased scrutiny of social media companies during a time of heightened geopolitical tension. Given his recent commitment to keeping TikTok around, it seems that there’s a bit more of a multifaceted—maybe even growing—relationship with the platform at play.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Lachlan Murdoch’s involvement with the investment group. He is a member of a dynasty of media tycoons, and their interests regularly attract conservative viewers and readers. Murdoch’s media properties have at times been at odds with Trump. The cast of characters Topping the list is former Oracle co-founder and one of the nation’s largest GOP donors, Larry Ellison. Combined, they want to deliver a greater American oversight of TikTok’s day-to-day management.
Additionally, Trump noted that Rupert Murdoch, the 94-year-old patriarch of the media empire, may take part in this deal. This possible partnership comes at a key time for TikTok. The platform comes amid heightened criticism of TikTok’s powerful role in shaping public opinion, particularly among young Americans, who are showing greater solidarity with Palestinian causes and opposition to Israel. Many pro-Israeli politicians have attributed the shifting sentiments among youth to the influence of popular social media platforms like TikTok.
