Rupert Murdoch, the 94-year-old patriarch of the clan, has moved swiftly to cement his control over the family’s farflung media empire. The other arm of this empire includes some familiar national voices like Fox News and the Wall Street Journal. He walks through this hard terrain very tenderly. At the same time, discussions are swirling around his son — Lachlan Murdoch — who is allegedly in negotiations to keep TikTok running here in the United States.
This possible TikTok deal comes right as the Murdoch family still seems to be the dominant force in conservative media. Their impact is deep and lasting. Their platforms, most notably Fox News, have not shied away from welcoming a mostly right-leaning audience, rooted in the family’s decades-old conservative values. The Wall Street Journal becomes a key part of Murdoch’s empire. This year, however, it’s been under fire, most notably the recipient of a defamation lawsuit brought by former President Donald Trump.
Lachlan Murdoch’s Role in TikTok Deal
Lachlan Murdoch’s new role in what could be a TikTok deal has raised eyebrows from all sides. Radar reports that he is just one of numerous U.S. investors that are deemed key to the deal’s success. With concerns over TikTok’s operations in the U.S. due to national security issues, securing American investors appears vital for the platform’s future.
Former President Trump has even recognized Lachlan Murdoch’s influence in these negotiations on the record, calling him an “American patriot” among other things. For all of Trump’s bluster, he does have fierce confidence in his deal-makers. He announced, “I just think they’re going to do a hell of a job.”
“I think they’re going to do a really good job.” – Donald Trump
This endorsement from Trump positions Lachlan Murdoch favorably among other potential investors and reinforces his family’s reputation within conservative circles.
Rupert Murdoch’s Continued Influence
Rupert Murdoch just made his control over his media empire even more absolute. The consequences of his ownership go far beyond his cut-and-paste legacy in traditional media. His platforms have consistently set the agenda for political media and in turn public discourse, especially under the Trump presidency. Although he does sometimes incur Trump’s ire for all the wrong reasons — like supporting Biden in 2020 — Murdoch’s media power is still staggering.
Murdoch’s recent settlement of a years-long legal battle has cleared the way with unexpected speed. Now, he can finally consolidate his grip of his businesses. This media consolidation allows him to consolidate narrative control. These narratives all seem to align to cover his and his family’s conservative ideologies.
The Broader Media Landscape
Holding the Murdoch family’s media empire accountable would be about much more than their own self-interest. It does something much more profound. As digital platforms like TikTok face scrutiny, traditional media moguls like Rupert Murdoch are strategically positioning themselves to capitalize on evolving media landscapes. Lachlan Murdoch’s participation suggests even further shake-ups among media dynasties. So far they are just scratching the surface when it comes to getting out in front of new technologies and platforms.
The saga behind the proposed TikTok deal is a classic case of media clout meeting new age digital complexities. Let’s face it, the Murdoch family is on uncharted waters. Their decisions are poised to significantly influence their legacy and make or break the future of media consumption in America.
