Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul who controls some of the most powerful conservative media outlets, appeared to make it clear Wednesday that he would prefer to oust former President Donald Trump in favor of Florida Gov. Ron DeSandis as GOP leader. . ,
The New York Post, a tabloid controlled by Murdoch, hailed DeSantis’ election night victory on its front page Wednesday morning.
“DeFUTURE,” the Post headline screamed, along with a photo of DeSantis and his family celebrating their big win in the Sunshine State.
Fox News, the dominant television voice controlled by Murdoch, paid close attention Wednesday to DeSantis’ victory.
“I think Governor DeSantis is the biggest winner of the night,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on “Fox & Friends,” adding that he “will almost certainly become the rallying point for everybody in the Republican Party who wants to move forward beyond. President Trump.”
The Fox News homepage also prominently featured a column by conservative commentator Liz Peek declaring DeSantis “the new leader of the Republican Party.” Fox News called it “A NEW ERA.”
And the Wall Street Journal, the Murdoch-owned broadsheet, the paper’s conservative editorial board published an article declaring the “DeSantis Florida Tsunami.”
“There is no question that his success in Florida will capture the attention of voters outside the Sunshine State,” the editorial board wrote. “You can bet Donald J. Trump was watching — unfortunately.”
Murdoch’s media coverage is notable given that they have significant influence over the Republican Party base and its power brokers.
“It’s not an accident,” a person familiar with how Murdoch runs the companies told CNN Wednesday morning when asked about the billionaire’s media focus on DeSantis as the future of the Republican Party.
Murdoch’s media coverage does not mean they will turn completely to Trump. Instead, it suggests Murdoch can use his influence to tip the scales and push Republicans toward DeSandis if the two square off in a 2024 Republican primary.
A Murdoch spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment. But Murdoch has previously made clear his frustrations with Trump.
New York Times reporter and CNN political analyst Maggie Haberman recently reported in her best-selling book that after the 2020 election, Murdoch remarked to Trump, “We’ve got to throw this guy out.”
