Story perspectives

Abu Dhabi Takes 15% of TikTok Amid Media Deals

9/28/2025

Summary

Story summary

Abu Dhabi's royal family will take 15% of TikTok's U.S. business, valued at $14 billion; Oracle and Silver Lake hold 45%.
David Ellison, son of Larry Ellison, pursues Paramount and other media deals amid allegations of interference linked to Trump's CBS News criticisms.
He shifted donations from Democrats toward Trump, prompting questions about alignment, while stating a business-focused, centrist stance.

History

Historical Context

The Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act, enacted in 2012, strengthened the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to scrutinize foreign investments, particularly from China. This scrutiny intensified with TikTok's ownership by ByteDance, reflecting national security concerns. Recent dealings involving Abu Dhabi's royal family highlight ongoing tensions over foreign ownership in U.S. technology, potentially leading to stricter regulations.

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Story summary

Abu Dhabi's royal family will take 15% of TikTok's U.S. business, valued at $14 billion; Oracle and Silver Lake hold 45%.
David Ellison, son of Larry Ellison, pursues Paramount and other media deals amid allegations of interference linked to Trump's CBS News criticisms.
He shifted donations from Democrats toward Trump, prompting questions about alignment, while stating a business-focused, centrist stance.

1 / 2