Forget the Murdochs—there’s a new name reshaping America’s media landscape: the Ellisons. Tech billionaire Larry Ellison and his Hollywood producer son David Ellison are no longer just disrupting technology and entertainment; their growing influence now stretches deep into the world of news and media. From TikTok to CNN and Paramount, the Ellisons’ empire-building, backed by strategic ties to President Donald Trump, positions them as the newest media tycoons on the global stage.
Larry Ellison: From Tech Titan to Media Mogul
At 81, Larry Ellison remains one of the world’s richest men, with a staggering net worth of nearly ₹33 lakh crore ($3.3 trillion). The Oracle founder, who revolutionized databases, has seen his fortune double in the past year thanks to Oracle’s critical role in building AI infrastructure. For a brief period, he even overtook Elon Musk as the world’s richest person. Today, however, Ellison’s ambitions extend far beyond Silicon Valley—into the commanding heights of media power.
A key to his rise has been his long-standing closeness to Donald Trump. In 2020, he hosted a high-profile fundraiser for the former president. Soon after, Oracle secured hosting rights for TikTok’s U.S. data, a deal that expanded in scope this year: Oracle now holds control over TikTok’s powerful algorithms, effectively shaping what millions of Americans watch online.
David Ellison: Hollywood’s Next Big Player
While Larry moves tech into media, his 42-year-old son David Ellison has firmly planted himself in Hollywood. Though his debut production Flyboys (2006) failed at the box office, his persistence paid off with the launch of Skydance Media in 2010. The studio went on to deliver blockbuster franchises such as Mission Impossible, Top Gun: Maverick, and World War Z.
David’s boldest move came with the family-backed takeover of Paramount, a legacy entertainment giant employing 18,000 people and running news outlets like CBS. This acquisition vaulted the younger Ellison into the top tier of Hollywood power brokers—cementing the family’s control across film, television, and news.
The New Media Dynasty
With Oracle’s grip on social media algorithms and Paramount’s global reach in entertainment and news, the Ellisons are crafting a cross-industry empire. Their rise, powered by political connections and financial muscle, signals a major shift in America’s media balance of power—one that could redefine influence in both Silicon Valley and Hollywood for years to come.