Staff Reports
Murdoch Loses Interest in DeSantis Campaign, Looks to Youngkin for Republican Hope
In a surprising turn of events, media mogul Rupert Murdoch is said to be losing his once-fervent enthusiasm for the Ron DeSantis campaign and is now throwing his weight behind Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin as a potential contender. The conservative billionaire, known for his influence at Fox News, reportedly had not one but two meetings with Youngkin in recent months, urging him to join the race for the presidency. This revelation comes from a report by the Washington Post, a publication that surely knows a thing or two about conservative elections.
According to sources, Murdoch believes that nominating Donald Trump for another term would be “unhealthy” for the Republican Party. While loyal Republicans still rally behind the former president, Murdoch seems to be expressing doubts about the impact of such a decision on the future of the party. It’s not surprising, really, given all the noise Trump has been making about Fox News, his once-favorite conservative news outlet.
As Fox News distanced itself from Trump, it seemed that DeSantis was poised to take center stage. However, as the Washington Post pointed out, recent polls show DeSantis losing traction. It seems that even Republicans are starting to question the governor’s ability to lead. Enter Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman who has emerged as a strong defender of Trump against the Biden DOJ and those pesky partisan district attorneys. Ramaswamy’s rise in popularity has posed a threat to DeSantis, and Murdoch seems to be acknowledging that.
Hence, the apparent shift in Murdoch’s support from DeSantis to Youngkin. With the Florida governor’s popularity waning, Murdoch is now hoping that Youngkin will throw his hat into the ring. Apparently, Murdoch believes that competition is healthy for the party and wants to see a more substantive debate during the primary elections. It must be said that not everyone listens to Murdoch, and his instincts aren’t always perfect. But hey, at least he’s open to some healthy competition, right?
Youngkin, who has soared to an all-time high in approval ratings, had previously declined a White House bid. However, the GOP megadonors and power players seem to have a different opinion. Billionaire Thomas Peterffy, who had previously supported DeSantis, expressed his enthusiasm for Youngkin’s potential candidacy. Others have also expressed their hope that Youngkin will enter the race, and if he does, they are ready to rally behind him with tremendous enthusiasm.
In conclusion, while it may be disheartening for DeSantis to lose the backing of a media magnate like Murdoch, the conservative movement is a dynamic landscape, and alliances shift with the tides. Youngkin’s surging popularity, combined with doubts about DeSantis’s ability to stay ahead of the pack, has led to this intriguing development. The 2024 Republican primary promises to be an interesting and heated contest, and it seems that even the media giants are playing their part in shaping the narrative.
