Rupert Murdoch, whose sprawling media empire includes Fox News, has been airing out his thoughts on the 2016 presidential campaign via his Twitter account, and Republican candidate Ben Carson seems to be emerging as the Australian native’s favorite.
On Friday, Murdoch urged his 628,000 followers to pay attention to Carson. “Everywhere pundits keep underestimating Ben Carson,” he wrote on Twitter. “But public understand humility as admirable, listen to the multi-faceted strong message.”
Everywhere pundits keep underestimating Ben Carson. But public understand humility as admirable, listen to the multi-faceted strong message
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 3, 2015
Murdoch has tweeted several times about the retired neurosurgeon at least since January, largely in favorable ways.
“Campaign ’16 starting,” Murdoch wrote in January. “Very early, but watch Ben Carson. Read his autobiography years ago. Principled brave achiever. Great American story.”
In August, Murdoch indicated that Carson’s status as a political outsider who has never held public office was a big reason to support him. “Good to see Ben Carson still gaining,” he tweeted. “Wonderful story. Forty percent GOP voters remain firm for non-politicians. Big message for both parties.”
In September, Murdoch compared Carson to Republican front-runner Donald Trump, who has consistently enjoyed the highest poll numbers of the field. “Latest Iowa poll has Carson level with Trump,” Murdoch wrote. “America land of hope versus fear.”
Latest Iowa poll has Carson level with Trump. America land of hope versus fear.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 2, 2015
On another poll released in September, Murdoch wrote, “Ben Carson polls improving every week. Maybe the one to beat. Irreproachable on background, achievements, character, vision.”
Ben Carson polls improving every week. Maybe the one to beat. Irreproachable on background, achievements, character, vision.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 5, 2015
Murdoch has made favorable comments about some of the other candidates as well, but not with the same enthusiasm as he has for Carson.
In September, he said Jeb Bush’s tax reform proposals were “substantive and attractive to all.” In January, he said Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American, would appeal to young voters and “maybe women” but “only Cuban Hispanics” in terms of Latino voters.
And he has feuded on and off with front-runner Donald Trump, who has alternatively banned and then embraced Fox News every few weeks.
