Washington – Rupert Murdoch’s Media Empire Targets JD Vance
The expansive media empire of billionaire Rupert Murdoch, notably the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and the New York Post, is ramping up attacks on Vice President JD Vance.
This onslaught seems to be a continuation of past efforts by Murdoch’s outlets to hinder President Donald Trump from selecting Vance as his running mate for the 2024 election. More than a dozen critiques have appeared, primarily in the Wall Street Journal and echoed in the other Murdoch properties.
These actions have sparked anger among those close to both the president and vice president. They assert that this is a coordinated attempt to undermine the president’s agenda for peace and trade, branding it as a globalist conspiracy.
A source familiar with Vance mentioned to Breitbart News, “Neoconservatives have distorted U.S. foreign policy for years. They’re upset because this administration is making strides where they haven’t been able to.” This source pointed out Trump’s successes, including peace initiatives that freed hostages and brought Russia and Ukraine to negotiations.
Additionally, a senior GOP adviser remarked that Murdoch’s media influence is veering away from Republican ideals. “It’s unfortunate that many traditional media outlets are still stuck in a perpetual war mindset,” the adviser shared.
Another GOP strategist, aligned with the Trump administration, indicated that administration insiders are happy to engage with outlets like Breitbart, distancing themselves from Murdoch’s outlets. “Trump has been a Republican leader for a long time, and it’s clear Murdoch’s media no longer aligns with his agenda,” the strategist noted. “They’ll keep losing access as others fill the void.”
Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal ran an alarming 17 opinion pieces targeting Vance, especially around economic and foreign policy topics, illustrating a clear divide between older GOP figures and the newer, more nationalistic faction that Vance embodies.
For instance, an opinion piece in February criticized Vance’s stance on immigration, suggesting he should align with Pope Francis against deportation. Despite these attacks, Vance has not pivoted from his Trump-aligned policies.
In subsequent weeks, critiques shifted to Vance’s views on international matters, including Germany, where he was admonished for calling out the oppressive measures of the government to suppress dissent. The Wall Street Journal seemed to turn the narrative against him, using his commentary as fodder for further criticism.
As March rolled in, Vance faced additional scrutiny regarding the conflicts with Ukraine, with a letter claiming he failed to adequately thank Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting. The Journal questioned his loyalty to Ukraine, suggesting a lack of proper acknowledgment.
In April, Vance was criticized for supporting a more nuanced diplomatic approach to the Ukraine-Russia situation, with editorial pieces accusing him of perpetuating serious errors. The editorial board argued that Trump’s legacy shouldn’t include concessions to Putin.
Also, in March, the Wall Street Journal rebuked Vance for his comments on internal communications within the administration regarding national security. These harsh critiques have not only been present in the Journal but have been amplified by Fox News and the New York Post, which also took their shots at him.
Despite the barrage of negative coverage, there’s a feeling among some insiders that these media attacks might actually bolster Vance’s political standing in the long term. Comments from sources close to Trump’s circle have suggested that the relentless criticisms are actually backfiring, possibly freezing out the traditional media’s influence over the Republican base.
In summary, while Murdoch’s media outlets seem intent on undermining Vance, the overarching sentiment among Trump’s supporters indicates that this may only strengthen Vance’s resolve and future opportunities in politics.
