Rupert Murdoch wants Bloomberg to challenge Trump in 2016

The conservative media magnate behind Fox News thinks the Republican primary race has room for one more — specifically, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Rupert Murdoch suggested Sunday night on his personal Twitter account that "it's time" for Bloomberg to "step into the ring." With Donald Trump running, Murdoch thinks that the "next billionaire candidate" would offer voters an alternative to Trump's antics.
Murdoch's high praise of Bloomberg's three terms as mayor of New York City were a sharp contrast to his previous slams of Trump both privately and on Twitter. After Trump's controversial comments mocking Sen. John McCain's war record, for instance, Murdoch tweeted: "When is Donald Trump going to stop embarrassing his friends, let alone the whole country?" Trump has since reportedly smoothed things over with the influential conservative mogul — but apparently not enough.
Bloomberg did not respond to Murdoch's call to run.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The jobs most at risk from AI
The Explainer Sales and customer services are touted as some of the key jobs that will be replaced by AI
-
Eighty years after Hiroshima: how close is nuclear conflict?
Today's Big Question Eight decades on from the first atomic bomb 'we have blundered into a new age of nuclear perils'
-
Valle dell'Erica Thalasso & Spa: a tranquil haven in Sardinia
The Week Recommends This family-friendly resort is steps from the sea and boasts a well-equipped kids' club
-
India rejects Trump threat over Russian oil
Speed Read The president said he would raise tariffs on India for buying and selling Russian oil
-
NY's Hochul vows response to Texas gerrymander
Speed Read Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised to play ball with redistricting that favors the Democrats
-
Texas Democrats exit state to block redistricting vote
Speed Read More than 51 legislators fled the state in protest of the GOP's plan to redraw congressional districts
-
Trump criticized for firing BLS chief after jobs report
Speed Read Bureau of Labor Statistics chief Erika McEntarfer oversaw a July jobs report that the president claims was rigged
-
Trump revives K-12 Presidential Fitness Test
Speed Read The Obama administration phased the test out in 2012, replacing it with a program focused on overall health rather than standardized benchmarks
-
El Salvador scraps term limits, boosting Nayib Bukele
Speed Read New constitutional changes will allow presidents to seek reelection an indefinite number of times
-
Trump assigns tariffs, delays all except on Canada
Speed Read A 35% tariff on many Canadian goods has gone into effect
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest