If you walk into a newsstand in Midtown Manhattan, the New York Post practically screams at you. Its headlines are loud, often pun-heavy, and unapologetically aggressive. But behind the "Headless Body in Topless Bar" energy lies a complex corporate web that has recently undergone its biggest seismic shift in decades. People often ask who the New York Post owner is, expecting a simple name. While that name is still Murdoch, the "how" and "why" behind their control has become a high-stakes legal drama that makes Succession look like a sitcom.
Rupert Murdoch didn't just buy the Post; he reshaped it in his image. Twice. He first acquired the paper in 1976, was forced to sell it in 1988 due to cross-ownership rules, and then clawed it back in 1993. Today, the paper is part of News Corp, a massive publicly traded entity. But don't let the "public" part fool you. The Murdoch family trust holds the cards.
The 2024 Power Shift: Lachlan Takes the Wheel
For years, the world waited to see which Murdoch child would inherit the throne. It's settled. Sorta. In late 2023, Rupert Murdoch officially stepped down as Chairman of News Corp and Fox Corp, handing the reins to his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch.
Lachlan is now the definitive New York Post owner in a functional sense. He oversees the strategic direction of the tabloid, which remains a key pillar of the family’s American influence. Unlike his brother James, who leaned more toward a centrist or even liberal environmentalist stance—and eventually exited the family business in a cloud of disagreement—Lachlan is widely seen as the keeper of his father's conservative flame.
He’s more hands-off than Rupert was in his prime, but his fingerprints are all over the Post’s digital evolution. The paper isn't just a print relic anymore. It’s a massive traffic driver. Under Lachlan, there’s been a push to monetize that snarky, "voice of the people" brand across social media and digital subscriptions. It’s working. The paper actually turned a profit recently, which is a minor miracle in the dying world of metropolitan dailies.
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How the Trust Actually Works (The Secret Sauce)
You can't talk about the New York Post owner without talking about the Murdoch Family Trust. This is where the real power lives. The trust holds roughly 40% of the voting stock in News Corp.
Right now, Rupert still has the deciding vote. However, upon his death, those votes are split between his four oldest children: Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. This has created a massive legal battle in a Reno, Nevada court. Rupert has been trying to amend the trust to ensure Lachlan stays in control, arguing that a "consensus" model involving the more moderate siblings would dilute the brand's commercial value. Basically, he thinks if the Post or Fox News goes soft, they lose their audience.
It’s a brutal fight. James and Elisabeth aren't exactly thrilled about being sidelined. If you’re tracking the ownership of the New York Post, you’re essentially tracking a civil war.
Why the Post Matters to News Corp
Is the Post a cash cow? Not exactly. Compared to the Wall Street Journal—also owned by News Corp—the Post is a scrappy underdog. But its value isn't just in the margins. It’s about cultural relevance.
The New York Post acts as an assignment editor for the rest of the New York media. A cover story in the Post can force the Mayor’s office into a defensive crouch or set the tone for the evening news. For the New York Post owner, that kind of "earned media" is worth more than a few million in quarterly profit. It gives the Murdoch family a seat at the table in the world's most influential city.
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Breaking Down the News Corp Portfolio
To understand the owner, you have to see what else they hold. News Corp is a behemoth divided into several key segments:
- Dow Jones: This includes the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and MarketWatch. This is the prestige arm.
- Book Publishing: They own HarperCollins. Yes, the same company that publishes everything from Tolkien to celebrity memoirs.
- Digital Real Estate: They own a massive stake in REA Group and Move, Inc. (Realtor.com). This is actually where a huge chunk of the company's valuation comes from.
- News Media: This is the New York Post, The Sun, and The Times in the UK, plus a huge stable of Australian papers.
The Misconception About "The Boss"
People often confuse the New York Post owner with the Editor-in-Chief. While the Murdochs set the vibe, the day-to-day grit is handled by folks like Keith Poole. The "Murdoch Style" is a real thing, though. It’s a preference for short, punchy sentences. High impact. Low fluff. They want the reader to feel something—usually outrage or a dark sense of humor—within three seconds of looking at the page.
Honestly, the Post is one of the few papers that feels like it has a soul, even if you hate that soul. It doesn't use the sanitized, "on the one hand, on the other hand" language of the New York Times. It picks a side. That’s a direct reflection of Rupert Murdoch’s personal philosophy: give 'em a show.
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What Happens Next?
The future of the New York Post owner situation is tied to the Nevada court's decision on the "Irrevocable" trust. If Rupert wins, Lachlan reigns supreme for decades. If the other siblings win a "parity" of power, we might see the Post shift its editorial stance or even be put up for sale if it stops aligning with the family's collective vision.
There's also the constant rumor of a re-merger between News Corp and Fox Corp. Rupert floated the idea a couple of years ago but pulled back after shareholders got twitchy. If that ever happens, the Post would be back under the same roof as Sean Hannity and Jesse Watters, creating a unified conservative media front that would be virtually untouchable in terms of reach.
Actionable Insights for Media Watchers
If you're following the Murdoch saga or just curious about how media ownership affects what you read, keep an eye on these specific indicators:
- Watch the SEC Filings: Specifically, look at the 13D filings for News Corp. This tells you if any outside activist investors (like Starboard Value) are trying to force a breakup of the company.
- Monitor Editorial Tone: If the Post starts sounding more like the Wall Street Journal—dryer, more corporate—it’s a sign that the "consensus" faction of the Murdoch family is gaining influence.
- Track the Digital Pivot: The Post is leaning heavily into its "Post Sports" and "Page Six" verticals. These are the engines of their survival. Their success here determines if the paper remains a Murdoch crown jewel or becomes a liability.
- Follow the Nevada Case: The outcome of the trust battle in Reno is the single most important factor for the paper's next 20 years. It determines whether the Post stays a partisan brawler or evolves into something else entirely.
The New York Post owner isn't just a businessman; they're a political actor. Whether it's Rupert's legacy or Lachlan's new era, the paper remains a reflection of a family that views ink as a weapon and a tabloid as the ultimate megaphone.