In a surprising revelation during a Sunday interview, former President Donald Trump suggested that media moguls Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch are likely to be at the forefront of efforts to acquire TikTok in the United States.

Speaking with Fox News’ Peter Doocy on "The Sunday Briefing," Trump addressed the ongoing negotiations surrounding TikTok, a popular social media app currently owned by China's ByteDance. While there has been much speculation regarding the deal's status, Trump indicated that significant progress is imminent.

Trump highlighted the involvement of high-profile investors in the potential acquisition, mentioning Larry Ellison and Michael Dell. But it was his mention of Lachlan Murdoch that raised eyebrows. "I hate to tell you this – a man named Lachlan is involved. You know who Lachlan is? That’s a very unusual name, Lachlan Murdoch," Trump declared, seemingly proud to surface the family connection.

He continued, asserting that Rupert Murdoch is also likely to join the investment group. "They’re really great people. Very prominent people. And they’re also American patriots, they love this country, so I think they’re gonna do a really good job," Trump enthused, underscoring the duo's reputation.

Nevertheless, reports indicate that the involvement of Fox Corporation—owned by Rupert Murdoch—with its CEO Lachlan Murdoch would mean they are operating as part of a collective of investors rather than as individual stakeholders.

Interestingly, Trump’s remarks come amid legal tensions with Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal, which is facing a lawsuit related to a controversial publication involving Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.

In 2024, Congress has passed a law prohibiting TikTok from operating in the U.S. unless sold to American buyers, citing national security concerns. Initially supported by the Trump administration, the timeline for compliance has seen multiple extensions, allowing TikTok to maintain its 170 million users in the U.S.

On the operational side, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that six out of seven board members will be from the U.S., with data control overseen by Oracle, the tech giant associated with Ellison. This ensures that the app's data and algorithm remain firmly under American control.

As this story unfolds, the stakes couldn't be higher, with TikTok not just a social media platform but also a pivotal player in the landscape of American technology and business.