Trump names Murdochs and Dell as potential participants in TikTok deal; Oracle to run data

President Donald Trump, in an interview aired Sunday on Fox News, said Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch and Michael Dell could be part of a group that would take control of TikTok in the United States, the latest twist in a fast-moving effort to keep the popular video app operating here. Trump described the Murdochs, Dell, and a few others as "really great people, very prominent people" and said they are "American patriots" who would do a good job. He also said Oracle founder Larry Ellison was part of the same group, a detail that had been disclosed previously.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Oracle would be responsible for the app’s data and security, with Americans controlling six of seven seats on a planned board. The terms of the deal remain unclear, but officials have signaled the aim is to preserve TikTok’s U.S. operations while addressing national-security concerns about data handling and the platform’s algorithm.

The development comes as U.S. and Chinese officials negotiate the shape of a deal before a Dec. 16 deadline to hash out the terms, following the administration’s latest extension. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, and U.S. officials have long warned that the app’s algorithm and data practices could be leveraged by the Chinese government to influence users or harvest information. Congress has passed legislation to ban TikTok in January, but Trump has repeatedly signed orders that have allowed TikTok to continue operating as the administration works toward a sale or restructuring that would sever U.S. operations from ByteDance.

Trump said he discussed the TikTok matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a lengthy call Friday, a sign of how closely the two sides are watching the negotiations. Officials have indicated that a broader framework for the app’s U.S. presence could be reached in coming weeks, but many details remain unresolved.

The Trump administration’s stance contrasts with the concerns that prompted the push to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations, including fears about data security and potential manipulation of the platform’s recommendations. In recent weeks, lawmakers and regulators have pressed for clear safeguards and a firm timetable for any sale or restructuring.

Trump has also commented on his personal connection to TikTok, saying he is "a little prejudiced" about the app because it helped him connect with younger voters, and he noted that conservative activist Charlie Kirk encouraged him to engage with the platform.

Representatives for Ellison, Dell and the Murdochs could not immediately be reached for comment.