Murdoch Drops Trump: What’s the Impact?
A striking New York Post cover calls Vladimir Putin a dictator, in a piece by Douglas Murray discussing the Ukraine war and its stakes.
Since the start of the Ukraine war, the relationship between Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. political figures has been under intense scrutiny. Donald Trump, who previously sought to leverage Ukraine for political gain by conditioning military aid on an investigation into Joe Biden, has maintained an ambiguous stance on the conflict.
Now, The New York Post, a conservative outlet owned by Rupert Murdoch, has taken a hardline stance by calling Vladimir Putin a “dictator.” This editorial represents a shift that contrasts with Trump’s past rhetoric and comes as the American right remains divided over U.S. involvement in Ukraine and its stance on the Kremlin.
According to multiple U.S. media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and Fox News, Rupert Murdoch has distanced himself from Donald Trump, signaling a major realignment in the conservative media landscape.
Murdoch, the media mogul and owner of Fox News, has been gradually pulling away from Trump since the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Internal communications revealed that Murdoch considered Trump’s election fraud claims baseless and damaging. He even described Trump’s team’s allegations as “increasingly crazy.”
This break has been reflected in a significant editorial shift across Murdoch’s media empire. Publications such as The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal openly criticized Trump, calling him a “loser” after the 2022 midterm elections.
Fox News has also scaled back its favorable coverage of Trump, a clear indication that Murdoch is repositioning his media empire to favor other Republican figures.
The Consequences of This Break
Influence on Public Opinion: As the leading conservative news network, Fox News plays a crucial role in shaping Republican voter sentiment. By distancing itself from Trump, the network may push its audience to reconsider their support for the former president.
Reshaping the Republican Landscape: Murdoch’s media pivot creates an opening for other GOP figures, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, to gain visibility and influence.
Implications for Trump’s Political Future: Without unwavering backing from Murdoch’s media outlets, Trump could face greater obstacles in any future political comeback.
In short, Rupert Murdoch’s break with Donald Trump could reshape power dynamics within the Republican Party and redefine the future of the conservative movement in the U.S.
The original article by Douglas Murray was published in the New York Post on February 21, 2025.
