Rupert Murdoch’s American newspapers turned on U.S. President Donald Trump after he falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia, The i Paper reports.
Editorials in the New York Post and The Wall Street Journal in February rebuked Trump for repeating Vladimir Putin’s talking points and his willingness to “sell out Ukraine”.
The Post in particular challenged Trump’s false claims that Ukraine started the war with Russia and his exaggerated figures on U.S. spending on Ukraine.
Murdoch’s media have questioned and criticised a number of Trump’s actions since he was inaugurated but The i Paper quotes insiders saying it was his claims about Ukraine that greenlighted the editorials.
On February 28 Trump’s attitude on Ukraine was clearly exposed in an astonishing televised Oval Office clash with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy which provoked world wide alarm and reaction and an emergency meeting of European prime ministers on support for Ukraine.
The Wall Street Journal editorial the next day warned that “turning Ukraine over to Mr Putin would be catastrophic for that country and Europe, but it would be a political calamity for Mr Trump too.
“It is bewildering to see Mr Trump’s allies defending this debacle as some show of American strength.”
Murdoch’s newspapers’ editorials came amidst an ongoing family saga over his attempt to cement his conservative legacy – the Post and the Journal, Fox News, and UK newspapers The Sun and The Times.
Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers turn on Trump – The i Paper
Murdoch and Trump: the souring of a relationship – The I Paper
New York Post goes to war with Trump
Trump knocks back on Wall Street Journal
Televised Trump attack on Zelensky
UK newspaper headlines after showdown in the Oval Office
European leaders to strengthen military defence to secure peace in Ukraine
The Murdoch family saga – New York Times
