You’ve seen the headlines. Loud, brash, sometimes a little unhinged. Whether it’s a "headless man in a topless bar" or a scathing political takedown, the New York Post knows how to get a reaction. But behind the red banner and the screaming fonts, there's always the same question: Who is actually pulling the strings?
Honestly, most people just say "the Murdochs" and leave it at any that. While that's technically true, it’s also a massive oversimplification of how one of the world's most influential media empires actually functions in 2026.
Who Owns the NY Post Right Now?
Basically, the New York Post is owned by News Corp, a massive, publicly traded media conglomerate. But don't let the "publicly traded" part fool you into thinking it's run by a faceless committee of anonymous index funds.
For decades, the name Rupert Murdoch was synonymous with the Post. He bought it once in 1976, was forced to sell it in 1988 because of some boring FCC cross-ownership rules, and then—like a classic tabloid twist—swooped back in to save it from bankruptcy in 1993.
As of late 2025 and moving into 2026, the power dynamic has shifted. Rupert is 94 now. He’s the "Chairman Emeritus," which is a fancy way of saying he’s retired but still looms over the hallways like a legend. The real keys to the kingdom now belong to his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch.
The Succession Battle is (Mostly) Over
You might remember the messy court battles in Nevada. It was basically Succession in real life. Rupert tried to tweak the family trust to ensure Lachlan would have permanent, unilateral control over the empire after he's gone. The reason? Rupert wanted to make sure the Post and Fox News kept their conservative edge.
The other siblings—James, Elisabeth, and Prudence—weren't exactly thrilled. They’re seen as more moderate, and the legal drama was intense. However, a significant settlement reached in late 2025 has solidified Lachlan’s position. He is the Chair of News Corp and the CEO of Fox Corporation.
When you ask who owns the NY Post today, you’re talking about a company where Lachlan Murdoch holds the ultimate voting power.
The News Corp Structure
News Corp isn't just the Post. It’s a global beast. Under the same roof as your favorite NYC tabloid, you’ll find:
- The Wall Street Journal (The buttoned-up older brother)
- Barron’s (The finance-obsessed cousin)
- HarperCollins (The one that actually likes books)
- The Times of London (The British relative with the accent)
At the corporate level, Robert Thomson serves as the CEO of News Corp. He’s been a close ally of the Murdochs for years. While he handles the "business-y" stuff—like massive AI licensing deals with companies like OpenAI and Symbolic.ai—the editorial soul of the Post still feels very Murdoch-centric.
Why the Ownership Actually Matters
Ownership isn't just a line on a tax return. It dictates what you read every morning. Under the Murdochs, the Post has never been afraid to be the "puckish" voice in the room. They like being the underdog, even though they're owned by one of the wealthiest families on the planet.
There's a specific "Post style" that ownership protects. It’s aggressive. It’s pro-business. It’s unapologetically populist. If the paper were owned by a private equity firm or a tech billionaire with a savior complex, that vibe would vanish overnight.
New Frontiers: The California Post
Here’s a detail that’s flying under the radar: News Corp is currently expanding the brand. In early 2026, they launched the California Post.
It’s a gutsy move. While other newspapers are shrinking or dying, the Murdochs are doubling down on the tabloid format. They’re betting that people in Los Angeles are just as "starved for serious reporting and puckish wit" as New Yorkers are. Nick Papps is leading that charge as editor-in-chief, but he still reports back to Keith Poole, the big boss of the New York Post Group.
The AI Shift in the Newsroom
You can't talk about ownership in 2026 without talking about tech. News Corp recently inked a major deal with an AI startup called Symbolic.ai.
The goal? To "augment" journalism.
They’re using AI for research, fact-checking, and—unsurprisingly—optimizing those famous Post headlines for SEO. It’s a weird mix of old-school shoe-leather reporting and high-tech algorithms. The Murdochs have always been pragmatists; they’ll use whatever tool keeps the paper profitable while the rest of the industry struggles.
The Legacy of Alexander Hamilton
It’s easy to forget that the NY Post wasn't always a Murdoch property. It was founded by Alexander Hamilton back in 1801.
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Yeah, that Hamilton.
He started it with about $10,000 to give his Federalist Party a voice. Over the centuries, it changed hands dozens of times. It was a liberal bastion under Dorothy Schiff in the mid-20th century. It’s been a broadsheet, a tabloid, a money-maker, and a money-pit.
But since 1993, it has been the Murdochs' plaything. They’ve owned it longer than almost anyone else in its 225-year history.
The Bottom Line
The New York Post is owned by News Corp, which is firmly under the control of Lachlan Murdoch. While it’s a public company, the family trust ensures that the "Murdoch vision" remains the North Star.
If you're trying to track the influence of the Post, don't just look at the bylines. Look at the board meetings.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to see the ownership's influence in real-time, keep a close eye on the California Post launch throughout 2026. Comparing how they cover West Coast politics versus the NYC original will tell you everything you need to know about Lachlan Murdoch's editorial priorities. You can also monitor News Corp’s quarterly earnings reports to see if their aggressive AI integration is actually saving the bottom line or just creating a more "robotic" tabloid.