How the TikTok Deal Could Tighten Trump’s Cultural Grip
The long-awaited deal placing TikTok’s U.S. operations under American control has eased national security concerns — but it has also sparked fresh debate over the platform’s political and cultural influence.
Under the agreement, TikTok’s U.S. arm will be governed by a majority-American board that includes investors aligned with President Donald Trump. The move adds TikTok to a growing list of major media and communication platforms that have shifted toward Trump-friendly ownership in recent years, alongside CBS and the social media platform X.
With roughly 170 million U.S. users, TikTok wields outsized influence over cultural trends, especially among teens and young adults who represent the next generation of voters. Critics worry that even subtle changes in leadership could eventually shape the app’s content ecosystem, amplifying right-leaning narratives or pro-MAGA messaging.
Trump has embraced the deal, writing on Truth Social that TikTok played a role in his strong performance with young voters in the 2024 election. Neither TikTok nor the White House has commented on whether the platform’s recommendation systems could be affected by the ownership change.
At the center of the new structure is Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, a close Trump ally whose family has expanded its presence across U.S. media. His son, David Ellison, now controls CBS News through Skydance Media and is reportedly pursuing further acquisitions in the news industry.
Some analysts caution against drawing quick conclusions, noting that TikTok’s profitability depends on maintaining a broad and diverse user base. Still, the deal underscores a wider shift in the U.S. media landscape, where ownership and political power are increasingly intertwined.
