Trump’s billionaire backers will now ‘actually control’ Tiktok’s algorithm, JD Vance says

Core Points - An executive order was signed by President Trump to facilitate a deal for TikTok to be operated by American entities, with significant involvement from billionaire allies [1][2] - The ownership structure is still being finalized, with Oracle and its co-founder Larry Ellison expected to play a major role in managing TikTok, as they have already stored much of its U.S. data [2][3] - Rupert Murdoch and Michael Dell are also involved in the deal, with Murdoch's stake potentially allowing access to younger audiences [3][4] - The agreement is said to give Americans control over TikTok's algorithm, which influences the content seen by over 170 million U.S. users, with a valuation of TikTok's U.S. assets pegged at $14 billion [5][6] - The deal is linked to Trump's broader trade agenda, with implications for national security and political discourse in the U.S. [6][7] - The upcoming APEC Summit in South Korea is expected to provide a platform for further discussions between Trump and Xi regarding the deal [7] Company Involvement - Oracle is positioned to manage TikTok due to its existing infrastructure for U.S. data storage [2] - Rupert Murdoch's involvement may help diversify his media empire's reach into digital platforms [4] - Michael Dell's participation indicates a strong interest from tech industry leaders in the deal [3] Industry Implications - The control over TikTok's algorithm raises questions about content moderation and political influence in social media [5][6] - The deal reflects a growing trend of U.S. companies seeking to gain control over foreign-owned tech platforms amid national security concerns [6][7] - The potential for TikTok to be operated by American entities could reshape the competitive landscape of social media in the U.S. [5][6]