Another former Journal staffer said that Murdochs influence is often felt in subtle ways. The thing about Murdoch is that its never a situation where Rupert Murdoch comes into the 10 oclock news meeting and says I want this on the front page. He has his proxies who intuitively understand what he wants, he said.
The Journal editorial page has long been known as a bulwark of conservative thought. It has often been tough on Trump, including in March, when it scorched him in an editorial titled, A Presidents Credibility. The editorial called Trump his own worst political enemy, and said, Two months into his Presidency, Gallup has Mr. Trumps approval rating at 39%. No doubt Mr. Trump considers that fake news, but if he doesnt show more respect for the truth most Americans may conclude hes a fake President.
But the recent shift has raised flags, for some. The pardon op-ed was written by David Rivkin, Jr. and Lee Casey, lawyers who served in the White House and Justice Department under Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. But the editorial calling for Mueller to resign and for Democrats to be investigated was written by the papers editorial board, its institutional voice.
I dont know a single WSJ alum whos not agog at where that edit page is heading, former Journal editor Neil King posted on Twitter.