Rupert Murdoch’s suggestion that Ben Carson could well have what it takes to be a “real black president” of the United States is his latest endorsement of the Republican candidate on Twitter, in a series of tweets that span as far back as January.
Murdoch first tweeted about Carson in late January, picking him one to watch even at that very early stage in the campaign. He’d read Carson’s autobiography years before, and described him as a “principled brave achiever” with a “great American story”.
By March, he was recommending two books by Carson (he has written six), which had left Murdoch with no doubts about the candidate’s “wonderful character”, but some about his presidential chops: “sadly seems political naif”.
But Murdoch’s Twitter commentary keeps pace with his changing opinions. In August, it was “good to see Ben Carson still gaining”; he has a “wonderful story”. The next day, he praised Carson’s restraint in debates: “Being above the fray seems to be working. Class act”.
Murdoch took heart in poll results at the end of August – “so character DOES count. His life story should make every American optimistic” – and later depicted the contest between Carson and fellow Republican candidate Donald Trump as “America land of hope versus fear”.
Ben Carson polls improving every week. Maybe the one to beat. Irreproachable on background, achievements, character, vision.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 5, 2015
Murdoch first compared Ben Carson to Barack Obama – of whom he is frequently critical – in early September: “sincere men, different values”.
2 stories. Carson, Detroit ghetto to brilliant neurosurgeon. Obama white upbringing to community organizer. Sincere men, different values
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 5, 2015
Days later, Murdoch was reading (or rereading – we’re not to know) another book by Carson: “[I] recommend [it] to everybody”.
His praise has ramped up in enthusiasm and frequency in the past month. “Everywhere pundits keep underestimating Ben Carson,” he tweeted on Saturday. “But public understand humility as admirable, listen to the multi-faceted strong message.”
Murdoch’s endorsement culminated on Thursday with his suggestion that Carson would make a “real black president who can properly address the racial divide [...] and much else”, drawing anger from Obama’s supporters and incredulity from those who are simply aware of him.
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
Hours later Murdoch’s name was trending globally on Twitter. But as any one of his 631,000-odd followers there will know, it’s all par for the course in his off-the-cuff, frank and seemingly unfiltered approach to that platform.
Here’s an insight into the world according to Rupert Murdoch, according to Rupert Murdoch on Twitter.
The Great Barrier Reef looks no different to how it did in 1965
To the naked eye reef looks fully as good as it did 50 years ago.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) August 25, 2015
Australia's Great Barrier Reef truly one of the world's great wonders. Never more beautiful than today teeming with multi-coloured fish.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) August 25, 2015
The impact of global warming is overstated, too
Back in US. What happened to global warming? London, D.C, New York seem like new ice age! Rockies too.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 26, 2013
@smaccaroo global warming. Any tweeters have a sense of humour?
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 26, 2013
Wild winter in US, UK, etc. no respectable evidence any of this man made climate change in spite of blindly ignorant politicians.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) February 18, 2014
Just flying over N Atlantic 300 miles of ice. Global warming! pic.twitter.com/loXwe7lwtK
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) February 27, 2015
A climate change skeptic not a denier. Sept UN meets in NY with endless alarmist nonsense from u know whom! Pessimists always seen as sages
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) August 27, 2015
Smartphones: they’re good
Smart phones give billions universal access to knowledge across national borders, hopefully bringing transparency everywhere.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) August 23, 2015
Speaking of which – can he get an Apple Watch?
@Joanna Stern. Can I please have the Apple watch now? I want to read @WSJ on it.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) April 8, 2015
Vice: one to watch
Who's heard of VICE media? Wild, interesting effort to interest millenials who don't read or watch established media. Global success.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 13, 2012
The ancient Egyptians were white
Moses film attacked on Twitter for all white cast. Since when are Egyptians not white? All I know are.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) November 29, 2014
Tide: it’s part of the weather (he’s not wrong)
Full moon tonite will intensify storm. East Coast understandably obsessed.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 29, 2012
.@Alex_Stephenson Tide Is part of weather. Read!
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 29, 2012
A good book stands rereading – even after (not quite) five years
Have just. Read The Rational Optimist. Great book.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) December 31, 2011
Re-read Matt Ridley's great book The Rational Optimist after 5 years. As stimulating as ever. Hope next book coming soon.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) August 30, 2015
Former Australian PM Tony Abbott: the happy warrior
Tony Abbott always the happy warrior. Win or lose, usually win, and clever fighter.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) August 25, 2015
The happy warrior, burdened by his chief of staff
Abbott again. Tough to write, but if he won't replace top aide Peta Credlin she must do her patriotic duty and resign. More
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 28, 2015
… though, really, what can any politician do? (@rupertmurdoch)
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) February 15, 2012
He’s as susceptible to his daughters as any father
Just visited ASPCA. Young daughters looking for another dog to adopt! Help!
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 7, 2012
Asked is my daughter friend of David Cameron? Don't know, but hope not. Really not my business.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) July 28, 2014
We Bought a Zoo is a great film
I LOVE the film "we bought a zoo", a great family movie. Very proud of fox team who made this great film.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 1, 2012
End gun violence
@loopy tweets. We don't need AK47s to defend ourselves. Nobody does.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) July 22, 2012
He reiterated the sentiment after the Newtown school shootings in Australia, warranting a sharp retort from Malcolm Turnbull, then a shadow minister but now the country’s prime minister.
@rupertmurdoch I suspect they will find the courage when Fox News enthusiastically campaigns for it.
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) December 15, 2012
He’s ambivalent about Page 3 of the Sun
@Kazipooh page three so last century! You maybe right, don't know but considering. Perhaps halfway house with glamorous fashionistas.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) February 10, 2013
So Page 3 tweet is breaking news... Typical OTT reaction by the UK PC crew. Just considering, as we do every page daily Buy it and see.....
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) February 11, 2013
Is anyone complaining about Page 3 pix a reader. Enough of this elitist nonsense!
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) May 2, 2013
Page 3 again. Aren't beautiful young women more attractive in at least some fashionable clothes? Your opinions please.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 10, 2014
Much fuss and publicity in UK as horrible elites yak on about Page 3. Worry not, The Sun will always have great looking women - and men!
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 24, 2015
And he has a love-hate relationship with Twitter
Why can't we have sensible tweets. You're mainly just crazy and fun to read. No loss of sleep here.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 23, 2012
Just starting on much acclaimed "The Genius in All of Us" by David Shenk. Hard to reconcile with all these tweets, including mine!
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) February 6, 2012
Please keep tweeting. I read all but how about cleaning up language? Incidentally most credit me with non- existent power and money.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) February 11, 2012
Seems impossible to have civilised debate on twitter. Ignorant,vicious abuse lowers whole society, maybe shows real social decay.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) May 5, 2012