Billionaires Take Over TikTok: What the New Deal Means for the Future of Social Media
TikTok, one of the fastest-growing social media platforms in the world, is entering a new era. Political pressure in the United States has forced its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell a majority of its U.S. operations, and some of America’s most powerful billionaires are stepping in. Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and media giants Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch are all set to play significant roles in reshaping TikTok’s future.
This takeover raises a critical question: how will billionaire influence transform a platform that thrives on grassroots creativity, short-form content, and youthful energy? The answer lies in understanding what each figure brings to the table — and what their involvement means for TikTok’s millions of users and creators.
The New TikTok Deal: Politics Meets Big Business
After Congress passed legislation in 2024 requiring TikTok to sell about 80% of its U.S. assets to American investors or face a nationwide ban, negotiations quickly escalated. The result is a consortium of U.S. investors, led by Oracle, with tech titan Michael Dell and the Murdoch family adding media and financial muscle.
TikTok’s U.S. board will feature seven members, six of whom must be American, ensuring that the app’s operations reflect domestic oversight. With this deal, TikTok isn’t just complying with new laws — it’s signaling a pivot toward becoming an American-led platform, shaped by billionaires with different but complementary visions.
Shou Zi Chew - CEO of TikTok
Larry Ellison: Data, Security, and a Tech Empire
Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, has been instrumental in TikTok’s U.S. operations since 2020, when his company began hosting the app’s data. Under the new agreement, Oracle will take an even larger role in data protection and privacy compliance, answering one of the U.S. government’s biggest concerns.
But Ellison’s role goes beyond technical oversight. As one of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley, he brings the full weight of his empire — spanning enterprise software, databases, and cloud services — into TikTok’s orbit. Ellison’s reputation for bold deals suggests TikTok could leverage Oracle’s global infrastructure to expand, monetize more effectively, and reassure both businesses and regulators that it can be trusted with user data.
Michael Dell: From Hardware to Philanthropy to Social Media
Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, is better known for building one of the world’s largest PC and server companies. His entry into the TikTok consortium highlights how even hardware-focused tech leaders see the long-term value of social media platforms in shaping consumer behavior and digital ecosystems.
Beyond business, Dell has made headlines for his philanthropy through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, which supports education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation globally. This philanthropic track record contrasts sharply with the high-stakes business deal he’s now part of, but it paints a picture of a billionaire keen to influence not only industries but also social outcomes. Dell’s operational expertise could streamline TikTok’s infrastructure, while his philanthropic perspective might influence TikTok’s role in educational or social impact campaigns.
Susan Dell
Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch: Media Power and Family Succession
Few names in media carry as much weight as Rupert Murdoch. Along with his son, Lachlan, the Murdochs represent a dynasty in global broadcasting and news. Their involvement in TikTok could shift the platform toward more curated content and media partnerships, opening new advertising opportunities.
However, this deal also comes at a pivotal moment in the Murdoch family succession story. Rupert, now in his 90s, has handed more operational control to Lachlan, who serves as CEO of Fox Corp. Their shared role in the TikTok consortium may further solidify Lachlan’s influence as he takes the reins of the family empire. For TikTok, this might mean a stronger focus on long-term media positioning, as the Murdochs look for ways to modernize their portfolio in the digital age.
Rupert Murdoch
What Changes Could This Billionaire Takeover Bring?
The entry of these billionaires suggests TikTok’s future will look quite different from its past. Some likely changes include:
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Stronger Data Protections: Oracle and Ellison will ensure compliance with U.S. privacy standards, addressing political and consumer concerns.
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Operational Scale and Tech Infrastructure: Michael Dell’s expertise may lead to faster, more reliable infrastructure, along with new tools for creators and businesses.
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Media Influence and Monetization: The Murdochs may push TikTok closer to a hybrid model of grassroots content and corporate media, reshaping advertising strategies.
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Boardroom Strategy: With six out of seven U.S. board members, the platform will be more closely aligned with American business and political priorities.
The Bigger Picture: Power, Politics, and Social Media
This deal highlights how deeply intertwined politics, billionaires, and technology have become. What began as a platform for dance challenges and viral trends is now at the center of a geopolitical and business power play.
For Ellison, it’s about expanding his tech empire. For Dell, it’s about extending his influence beyond hardware and into culture, while continuing a legacy that mixes business and philanthropy. For the Murdochs, it’s both a media investment and part of a larger family succession plan.
The real question is whether TikTok will retain the creativity and community-driven content that made it a global sensation — or if billionaire influence will steer it toward a more corporate, curated, and politically aligned direction.
Conclusion
TikTok’s next chapter will be unlike anything we’ve seen in social media before. The combined influence of billionaires from technology, media, and philanthropy promises opportunities for growth, innovation, and legitimacy in the U.S. market. But it also raises concerns about control, cultural shifts, and whether creators will continue to hold the same level of influence.
What’s clear is that TikTok is no longer just a viral app — it’s now a stage where billionaires, governments, and global businesses battle to define the future of digital media.
