Media Mogul Deploys Empire to Influence Presidential Response
In a remarkable display of media influence over political decision-making, conservative magnate Rupert Murdoch has deployed his vast communications empire to deliver an unmistakable message to President Donald Trump regarding the escalating situation in Minneapolis. Following the fatal shooting of American citizen Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement operations, Murdoch's outlets have executed a strategic pivot, urging the administration to soften its approach and change its narrative.
Fox & Friends Intervention Sparks Presidential Action
The campaign began in earnest on Monday morning when Brian Kilmeade, co-host of Trump's favoured programme Fox & Friends, repeatedly implored the president to dispatch border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to "settle things down." The plea came amid growing public outrage over the shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was reportedly shot at least ten times by immigration enforcement officers on Saturday.
Trump appeared to heed this televised advice before the programme concluded, announcing: "I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me." This immediate response demonstrated the powerful connection between conservative media messaging and presidential decision-making.
Coordinated Narrative Shift Across Murdoch Properties
Kilmeade's on-air intervention represented just one element of what appears to be a carefully orchestrated, multi-pronged effort by Murdoch to leverage his right-wing media holdings. The campaign has seen Fox News and Murdoch's conservative publications dramatically reverse their initial positions on the Pretti shooting.
Initially, these outlets had parroted the administration's narrative that Pretti represented a threat to law enforcement. Fox News contributor Joe Concha falsely claimed Pretti had "literally" pulled a gun on officers, while the New York Post published articles seeking legal justifications for the shooting.
Internal DHS Concerns Trigger Media Reassessment
The turning point came when Fox News reporter Bill Melugin, citing sources within the Department of Homeland Security, revealed that senior DHS employees had grown "increasingly uneasy & frustrated" with the agency's official claims about the incident. Melugin's report included the crucial acknowledgement that "there is no indication Pretti was there to murder law enforcement, as videos appear to show he never drew his holstered firearm."
Media Matters senior fellow Matthew Gertz observed that "Melugin's stark acknowledgement was whiplash-inducing for anyone who had been following Fox's on-air coverage of Pretti's killing up to that point, and it marked the start of a dramatic shift in the network's treatment of the case."
Editorial Boards Join the Pressure Campaign
The narrative shift extended beyond cable news commentary to the editorial boards of Murdoch's flagship American newspapers. The Wall Street Journal declared Sunday evening that it was "time for ICE to pause in Minneapolis," adding that "the Trump Administration spin on this simply isn't believable" and was "backfiring against Republicans."
By Monday morning, the typically pro-MAGA New York Post editorial board joined the chorus, urging the president to "de-escalate" in Minneapolis. While still blaming "leftist propagandists" for aspects of the situation, the Post called for tactical changes and cautioned against invoking the Insurrection Act, warning "it'll backfire even worse."
Conservative Hosts Unite in Unusual Criticism
Perhaps most strikingly, even typically staunch administration allies joined the call for moderation. Sean Hannity, Trump's close confidant and vocal supporter of mass deportation operations, took to the air to suggest ICE should stop "going into Home Depots and arresting people," calling the practice not a "good idea."
Fox News primetime host Jesse Watters, while criticising Minnesota Democrats, urged Trump to reduce the immigration officer presence in Minneapolis, declaring: "You can't stand in the middle of the ring forever." His programme featured an on-screen chyron bluntly stating: "ICE HAS TO CHANGE TACTICS."
Political Calculations Behind the Media Campaign
The motivation behind Murdoch's media intervention appears rooted in concerning political realities for the administration. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday revealed only 39 percent of Americans approve of Trump's handling of immigration, with 58 percent believing ICE and Border Patrol have gone "too far" in their crackdown across American cities.
These numbers are likely to deteriorate further following the Pretti shooting, creating significant political vulnerability for Republicans. The Minneapolis incident represents the second deadly shooting of a U.S. citizen in the city since the immigration crackdown began, amplifying public concern about enforcement methods.
Presidential Response and Administrative Changes
The media pressure appears to have produced tangible results beyond Homan's deployment to Minnesota. President Trump reportedly held "great" and constructive calls with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey - officials he had previously antagonised for months. Additionally, reports emerged that CBP commander Greg Bovino, the public face of the aggressive immigration crackdown, had been removed from his role and blocked from social media use, though DHS denies he has been "relieved of his duties."
Trump also convened a late-night crisis meeting with DHS chief Kristi Noem and her top aide Corey Lewandowski amid growing calls for her dismissal or impeachment.
Murdoch's Unique Position of Influence
Industry observers note that Murdoch may be the only conservative media figure with sufficient influence to meaningfully sway presidential actions and opinions. Despite being embroiled in legal battles with the litigious president over Wall Street Journal reporting on Trump's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the 94-year-old media mogul reportedly declared last summer: "I'm 94 years old and I will not be intimidated."
Murdoch has previously stated he possesses "the resources, the freedom and the fortitude" to weather confrontations with Trump, suggesting he has little to lose at this stage of his career while maintaining substantial power to shape conservative discourse and, consequently, administration policy.
The coordinated media campaign represents a significant departure from the aftermath of the Renee Good shooting earlier this month, when Fox News and MAGA media remained firmly aligned with administration assertions despite contradictory video evidence. This shift suggests growing concern within conservative media circles about the political sustainability of current immigration enforcement tactics as public backlash intensifies.
