Trump Denies Involvement in Murdoch’s Departure

Former President Donald Trump on Friday rejected blame for Rupert Murdoch’s decision to step down as the chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp, but called for “getting rid” of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“Many people are saying that ‘you forced Rupert Murdoch into retirement!’ ” Trump posted on his Truth Social page. “I do not believe this is so.”

Murdoch’s departure leaves his son, Lachlan Murdoch, to become the sole chairman of News Corp and continue as the chair and CEO of Fox, the companies announced. Rupert Murdoch is 92.

Trump and his allies have often linked Murdoch and McConnell as leaders of the Republican establishment, which he is trying to turn over with his front-running campaign for the GOP presidential nomination.

In his post, the former president accused McConnell of giving “the Radical Left Lunatics, together with his small band of automatic ‘yes’ votes, EVERYTHING they want. There is ZERO Republican Leadership in the United States Senate. MAGA!!!”

Trump has often slammed Murdoch in recent months, claiming he was using his media holdings to support his GOP rivals.

The former president called Murdoch a “globalist” in a recent social media post and accused him of working to stop him from winning the GOP nomination and the presidential race.

Trump also skipped the first GOP debate, which Fox hosted and broadcast, citing his tense relationship with the network and his large primary lead. Instead of debating, Trump held an interview with former network star Tucker Carlson.