Rupert Murdoch Garners Social Media Outrage Over 'Real Black President' Tweet
Rupert Murdoch has not been shy about expressing his enthusiasm for GOP presidential hopeful Ben Carson in recent weeks. But on Wednesday night the 21st Century Fox/News Corp. mogul raised eyebrows with a Twitter message regarding Carson that seemed to take a racially charged swipe at President Obama.
Murdoch sent a tweet promoting the appearance of Carson and his wife Candy on the 9 p.m. edition of Fox News’ “The Kelly File,” Fox News’ interview program hosted by Megyn Kelly. A few minutes later, he sent another pro-Carson tweet that seemed to suggest President Obama was less than a “real” African-American.
Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide? And much else.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 8, 2015
A few minutes later, Murdoch followed that tweet with a message suggesting that his followers read New York magazine for details on “minority community disappointment with POTUS.”
Read New York magazine for minority community disappointment with POTUS
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 8, 2015
A rep for Murdoch declined comment on the Twitter message.
Murdoch’s vocal support of Carson comes as Fox News has had a topsy-turvy relationship with GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, who has lashed out at the network for what Trump has deemed unfair coverage of his campaign. However the two camps had recently reached a detente after a telephone conversation between Trump and Fox News CEO Roger Ailes.
Reaction in social media to Murdoch’s comment was nearly instantaneous.
I guess the +90% of American Americans who voted for Obama don’t realize he’s a fake black man. Thankfully we have Rupert Murdoch.
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) October 8, 2015
