Ben Holland In the bustling media landscape of New York City, few publications carry the weight and notoriety of the New York Post. Known for its bold headlines, tabloid flair, and unapologetic editorial voice, the Post has been a staple of American journalism for over two centuries. But behind its sensational covers lies a complex story of ownership that shapes its content and influence. If you’re searching for “who owns the New York Post,” the answer points to the Murdoch family empire, specifically through their control of News Corp. As of 2025, this ownership structure has evolved with a generational shift, ensuring the paper’s conservative bent endures. This article dives into the New York Post ownership history, current structure, and implications, providing a clear, factual overview for readers interested in media moguls like Rupert Murdoch and his successor, Lachlan Murdoch.
A Storied Past: From Hamilton’s Vision to Tabloid Icon
The New York Post traces its roots to 1801, when Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father and architect of the U.S. financial system, co-founded it as the New-York Evening Post. Backed by Federalist Party investors, the paper championed pro-business and anti-French Revolution stances, reflecting Hamilton’s political ambitions. It quickly became a voice for the elite, covering commerce, politics, and society in the young republic.
Ownership in the 19th century was a whirlwind of elite hands. In 1881, railroad magnate Henry Villard acquired the paper, merging it with The Nation magazine to broaden its intellectual reach. His son, Oswald Garrison Villard, took over and infused it with progressive ideals, co-founding the NAACP and advocating for civil rights and pacifism. However, World War I opposition led to financial woes, forcing a 1918 sale.
The 20th century brought reinvention. Magazine publisher Cyrus H.K. Curtis bought it in 1924, introducing a tabloid format to compete with the rising Daily News. This shift to bite-sized, visually driven stories laid the groundwork for the Post‘s modern style. J. David Stern owned it from 1934 to 1939, reverting to broadsheet and renaming it the New York Post in 1939.
The most transformative era began in 1939 under Dorothy Schiff, a socialite and philanthropist. For 37 years, Schiff steered the Post toward liberal causes, championing civil rights and anti-war sentiments while embracing gossip columns that boosted circulation to over 500,000. Her tenure ended in 1976 amid rising costs, setting the stage for a seismic shift.
Rupert Murdoch’s Bold Entry: Acquisition and Transformation
Enter Rupert Murdoch, the Australian-born media tycoon whose name is synonymous with global news dominance. In 1976, Murdoch purchased the struggling Post for $30.5 million, injecting capital and controversy. He revived its tabloid format, emphasizing crime, scandal, and celebrity—hallmarks that propelled circulation past a million by the 1980s. Under Murdoch, the paper shed its liberal skin for a right-leaning, populist tone, aligning with his broader empire-building strategy.
Murdoch’s influence was immediate and profound. He launched iconic features like Page Six, the gossip column that became a launchpad for stars and a weapon for political takedowns. Yet, his aggressive tactics drew scrutiny. In 1977, a printers’ strike turned violent, with Murdoch accused of hiring non-union labor, highlighting labor tensions in New York media.
Regulatory hurdles forced a temporary exit. U.S. laws barred foreign ownership of broadcast licenses, prompting Murdoch to sell the Post in 1988 for $37.6 million to a group led by real estate developer Peter Kalikow. The paper faltered under debt, filing for bankruptcy in 1991. Seizing the opportunity, Murdoch repurchased it in 1993 for $25 million after securing a special FCC waiver, cementing his return.
This repurchase integrated the Post into News Corporation (later News Corp), Murdoch’s sprawling conglomerate. By then, News Corp encompassed newspapers like The Times of London, The Wall Street Journal, and broadcast assets including Fox, forming a media behemoth valued in billions.
The Murdoch Empire: News Corp’s Ownership Structure
Today, understanding who owns the New York Post requires unpacking News Corp’s intricate setup. News Corp, a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: NWSA), is headquartered in New York and generates over $10 billion annually from news, books, and digital services. Its portfolio includes Dow Jones (publisher of The Wall Street Journal), HarperCollins books, and real estate site Realtor.com, alongside the Post.
The Murdoch family’s grip is ironclad through dual-class shares: Class B stocks grant 33% voting power to the family despite owning about 40% of equity. Rupert Murdoch, now 94, founded the company in 1979 but announced his step-down in September 2023, transitioning executive roles to his son Lachlan.
As of September 2025, Lachlan Murdoch has solidified full control over both News Corp and its sister entity, Fox Corporation, via a new family trust. This trust, designed to last 25 years, resolves prior succession battles among Rupert’s children—Lachlan, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence—preventing vetoes and stabilizing leadership. Lachlan, 53, serves as CEO of Fox and executive chairman of News Corp, wielding decisive influence over editorial directions, including the Post.
This structure isn’t without critics. Institutional investors like Vanguard and BlackRock hold significant stakes, but the family’s voting supermajority ensures alignment with conservative values. In fiscal 2025, News Corp reported $15.5 billion in revenue, underscoring its resilience amid digital disruptions.
Editorial Influence and Controversies Under Murdoch Ownership
Murdoch ownership has indelibly shaped the New York Post‘s identity. Once a liberal beacon, it now embodies right-wing populism, with headlines skewering Democrats and amplifying Trump-era narratives. Its 2020 Hunter Biden laptop story, later echoed by Fox, exemplified how Post scoops fuel broader media ecosystems—though often amid fact-check debates.
Controversies abound. The paper faced lawsuits over libel, including a 2023 defamation case tied to election claims, echoing Dominion’s $787 million settlement with Fox. Critics argue Murdoch’s control fosters bias, with a 2024 Pew study showing Post readers leaning heavily Republican. Yet, defenders praise its investigative grit, from exposing Cuomo’s nursing home scandal to Wall Street exposés.
Under Lachlan, the tone persists. In November 2025, the Post dubbed New York “The Red Apple” after a progressive electoral win, wielding its hammer-and-sickle imagery to critique leftward shifts. Circulation hovers at 200,000 daily print copies, bolstered by 50 million monthly digital uniques, proving tabloid relevance in the app era.
Expansion and Future Horizons
The Post‘s ambitions extend westward. In August 2025, News Corp launched The California Post, a Los Angeles-based edition mirroring the original’s style—politics, gossip, and local flavor. Led by Post CEO Sean Giancola, this venture targets California’s media vacuum, with digital-first distribution and potential print runs. It’s Murdoch’s first major U.S. newspaper launch since the 2011 Daily flop, signaling confidence in tabloid revival.
Looking ahead, Lachlan’s trust paves the way for mergers, perhaps reuniting News Corp and Fox, which split in 2013 for $71.3 billion. Challenges loom—declining ad revenue, AI-driven content threats—but the Post‘s adaptability, from podcasts to newsletters, positions it well.
The New York Post ownership story is one of resilience and reinvention, from Hamilton’s quill to Lachlan Murdoch’s digital helm. Controlled by News Corp and the Murdoch family, it remains a conservative powerhouse influencing U.S. discourse. As media evolves, the Post‘s tabloid tenacity ensures its voice endures, reminding us that in journalism, ownership isn’t just about control—it’s about narrative.
References
- New York Post | Murdoch Ownership, Political Stances … – Britannica
- Rupert goes west with plans for New York Post’s California cousin – Fortune
- Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid to bring New York Post … – Reuters
- Start the presses! New York Post will expand to LA with launch of … – NY Post
- NY Post labels NYC ‘The Red Apple’ after Zohran Mamdani wins … – NJ.com
