
Is Larry Ellison Set to Become the Next Media Mogul with Trump's Help?
2025-04-02
Author: Kai
For years, Larry Ellison has been the quintessential Silicon Valley executive, known for his lavish lifestyle, featuring a $200 million Japanese-inspired villa and even owning the sixth-largest Hawaiian island. His personal life has been marked by high-profile relationships, including multiple marriages, which often overshadowed his achievements as the co-founder and CEO of Oracle.
With an astonishing fortune estimated at $175 billion, Ellison continues to make headlines. Just last year, he set a Florida record by purchasing a 22-acre estate near Palm Beach for $173 million—an almost negligible sum compared to his wealth. In a move that shocked many, he also invested $1 billion in Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition, citing it would be "lots of fun."
Now at 80 years old and navigating yet another marriage, Ellison’s ambitions appear to be shifting beyond mere indulgence. Inspired by fellow tech mogul Musk, who has cultivated multiple interlinked companies, Ellison seems poised to expand his corporate empire significantly.
Oracle is again in the spotlight, emerging as a potential bidder for TikTok, the wildly popular video platform facing scrutiny over its Chinese ownership. With a looming deadline set for a new ownership structure, discussions at the highest levels, including a planned meeting with former President Trump, could change the fate of the app in the U.S. market.
Oracle previously sought to acquire a stake in TikTok during a turbulent 2020, but the deal, which would have tied its data security capabilities with TikTok's operations, fell through. However, the tech landscape has evolved dramatically over the past five years, and it appears that Ellison and other tech giants are more assertive now than ever.
Ellison shares a close relationship with Trump, which could provide him a strategic advantage as he navigates this new terrain. Recently attending a White House event for the announcement of an AI project called Stargate, Ellison's presence at such pivotal moments signals a growing influence in the intersection of technology and politics.
In a notable twist, Ellison has also become a significant player in a bid led by his son, David, to acquire Paramount Pictures, a move that could position the Ellison family at the forefront of media and entertainment. Paramount, home to iconic brands like CBS and MTV, could synergize well with Oracle’s expansive reach and data capabilities, especially as TikTok continues to dominate content creation with its incredible 1.5 billion monthly active users.
The unpredictable nature of this media landscape makes Ellison's next moves particularly captivating. Analysts suggest that his involvement in either TikTok or Paramount could not only increase his wealth but alter the media consumption landscape entirely. Richard Greenfield, a media analyst at LightShed Partners, stated, "All these pieces are coming together to form something that isn’t quite clear yet except for this: The Ellison family will be at the center."
Moreover, Ellison’s vision extends beyond mere business. His multifaceted agenda includes extensive data collection and a push for a surveillance society where AI analyzes citizens’ behavior—an endeavor that has sparked significant debate and concern regarding privacy and civil liberties. Not one to shy away from controversy, Ellison stated that such initiatives would ultimately result in a "happier citizenry."
Despite facing hurdles, including a $115 million settlement over allegations of mishandling user data, Ellison’s relentless pursuit of technological dominance leaves many intrigued by what’s next. From humble beginnings to imposing tech giant, Larry Ellison continues to evolve, and with his alliance with Trump, the possibilities for a media empire of unprecedented scope appear vast.
In the rapidly changing world of tech, Ellison’s narrative is more than just a personal success story; it is a reflection of shifting power dynamics and the potential for transformative change in how information is created and consumed. As we watch closely, one can't help but wonder: could Larry Ellison be on the verge of redefining the media landscape? Stay tuned!