Rupert Murdoch had made a decisive move. In a 2021 email, sent just two days after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, he assured a former executive, “We want to make Trump a nonperson.” Over his seven-decade career, Murdoch has wielded his media empire to influence political leaders. Yet, in this instance, he faced a formidable challenge.
Donald Trump, far from being sidelined, became the first defeated U.S. president in 132 years to reclaim the White House. Murdoch, known for his strategic alliances, was often seen alongside Trump, from prominent events to the Oval Office itself.
The Murdoch-Trump Media Dynamic
The Wall Street Journal, owned by Murdoch’s News Corporation, recently reported on a controversial letter Trump allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, in response, appealed to Murdoch to suppress the story, claiming it was false. Despite this, the Journal published the piece. However, the story received varied coverage across Murdoch’s media outlets.
On Fox News, Laura Ingraham teased the Journal’s report but failed to follow through on air. This inconsistency highlights the dual nature of Murdoch’s media empire, as former Fox executive Preston Padden explained. “You’ve got the Wall Street Journal, and you’ve got the cable news channel. They represent two different sides of Rupert’s brain,” Padden noted.
Business vs. Journalism
Murdoch’s empire is split between Fox Corporation, which includes Fox News, and News Corp, home to the Wall Street Journal and other publications. Analyst Brian Wieser commented on Murdoch’s priorities, stating, “There is more of a focus on the business than the journalism at Fox.”
“Fox News is the primordial asset of the collection of assets,” said media analyst Claire Enders, emphasizing the network’s strategic importance.
Fox News has previously faced backlash from Trump’s supporters when diverging from his narrative. Padden reflected on the network’s dilemma: “Should we report the truth, and lose viewers, or should we report what our viewers want?”
Legal Battles and Settlements
In 2023, Fox settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million over false election claims. Trump, meanwhile, has sued Murdoch, News Corp, and Journal reporters over the Epstein story, threatening to testify.
Murdoch and Trump share a transactional relationship, as Enders observed. “There is a longstanding friendship and a symbiotic relationship with the cashflow machine,” she said. Despite past fallouts, they have reconciled quickly.
Recent settlements by other media companies with Trump suggest News Corp might consider a similar resolution. A Dow Jones spokesperson stated, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”
“We do not anticipate any lasting repercussions from this unless the WSJ has in fact been hoaxed,” Enders added.
The Future of Murdoch’s Media Empire
Murdoch, now 94, retired from management in 2023, passing control to his son, Lachlan. However, he remains actively involved. Padden remarked, “As long as he’s around, it’s his candy store.”
Fox News has covered the lawsuit sparingly, reflecting its cautious approach. The network reported on Trump’s filing and analyzed it briefly, but declined further comment.
As Murdoch continues to navigate the complex interplay of media influence and business interests, his legacy as a media mogul remains both influential and controversial. The ongoing legal battles and strategic decisions will likely shape the future of his empire and its role in global media and politics.
