TikTok’s new owners

Today, Explained

Vox

Daily News, Politics, News

4.4 • 9.5K Ratings

🗓️ 23 September 2025

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The US and China have a plan for American TikTok. It involves a Trump-aligned billionaire whose family is building a new media empire. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King. Photo by Mike Campbell/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	In an age of media consolidation, family dynasties are having a moment.
0:05.0	The Murdox, the Solzburgers, the Roy's, the Hursts, and the new kids on the block.
0:10.0	Allison's, meet the Ellison's, the newest right-wing billionaire family.
0:15.0	From the Silicon Valley, Larry made his money with technology.
0:25.8	The Ellison family, Potter, Larry, Eho David, and their money just bought CBS Paramount,
0:30.5	will soon take a big stake in TikTok and are reportedly going to bid for Warner Brothers Discovery,
0:31.7	which owns CNN.
0:35.7	It's been said that nothing bad can happen, it can only good happen.
0:38.2	Nothing bad can happen, it can only good happen. Nothing bad can happen, it can only good happen.
0:45.1	But is yet another Trump-aligned family having control of your grandpa's TV shows and your TikTok Algo, something to worry about?
0:48.3	Answers ahead on Today Explained. Larry! Larry!
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