Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post published a brutal editorial about Trump after the latest 1/6 Committee hearing that shatters the strongman myth.
The editorial board wrote in part:
His only focus was to find any means — damn the consequences — to block the peaceful transfer of power.
There is no other explanation, just as there is no defense, for his refusal to stop the violence.
It’s up to the Justice Department to decide if this is a crime. But as a matter of principle, as a matter of character, Trump has proven himself unworthy to be this country’s chief executive again.
The editorial would not have run if Rupert Murdoch did not want it there. Murdoch was sending a message to Trump with an editorial that included invoking the Justice Department and stating that he lacks the character to be president.
Authoritarians Like Trump Need To Be Perceived As Strong
The United States had never come closer in appearances to an authoritarian regime than under Donald Trump, who weaponized the power of the federal government to hurt political opponents, wanted desperately (and ever so ironically) to militarize Independence Day parades and ordered tanks to do it and of course, Trump proudly told reporters “we have the brand new Sherman tanks” when the Sherman tanks haven’t been used since the 1950s (much like most of Trump world), reportedly gassed protesters in Lafayette Park (and then denied it) so he could appear like a strongman and take a photo with a Bible in his hand, and ultimately sought to overturn an entire election with the help of way too many elected Republicans for comfort.
Rupert Murdoch Is Telling Trump That It’s Over
Authoritarians rely on a brand of strength. They paint themselves as powerful and in control. The New York Post editorial paints Trump as someone who refused to stop the attack on the country because it furthered his goal of staying in power at any cost. Trump wasn’t a strongman who acted as the personification of national strength. He used the power of the presidency to attack the nation.
Rupert Murdoch’s message to Trump seems to be that it is over, and he wants the Republican Party to move on. Murdoch is using the 1/6 Committee investigative findings to attack the heart of Trump’s brand and the myth that he is a strong leader.
Mr. Easley is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association