Rupert Murdoch Causes Online Furor Over Twitter Obama Comments
Some things might be best tested out on trusted associates before tweeting them. Some other things might be left unsaid in public, period. Which of the two categories Rupert Murdoch’s commentary on President Obama‘s blackness falls under is up to you. But suffice it to say the media magnate sparked an enormous social media firestorm this evening while drumming up publicity for one of his news network’s shows.
In advance of an appearance tonight by GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson and his wife Candy on Fox News’ The Kelly File, Murdoch tweeted out a pro-Carson sentiment in which he praised the couple for being “terrific.” But then the mogul went somewhere he perhaps shouldn’t have, comparing the president unfavorably to Carson on the basis of racial authenticity:
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
Murdoch followed up the tweet with another, slightly more nuanced comment, urging his followers to read New York magazine for a closer examination of “minority community disappointment” with Obama.
Read New York magazine for minority community disappointment with POTUS
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 8, 2015
Unsurprisingly, reaction to Murdoch’s hot take wasn’t cold. His name was trending on Twitter within minutes and two hours later sits in the top 10 trending topics in the U.S., albeit behind (depending on where you are) #AHSHotel, #ReactingToOldPhotos and fittingly, #Empire. Thousands tweeted their disapproval of his comments, ranging from funny to very serious, in addition to growing media coverage, but the consensus is that perhaps he should have kept his thoughts to himself. A small sampling of the reaction:
The further adventures of race expert Rupert Murdoch. https://t.co/4vVUVDHelA
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) October 8, 2015
Rupert Murdoch’s official Twitter account is my second favorite parody account.
— Keith Calder (@keithcalder) October 8, 2015
My first use of the word "flabbergasted" in a @CNNMoney story: http://t.co/HIMYh4UbHZ
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 8, 2015
Neither Fox nor Murdoch’s team has issued a statement.
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