The New York Post is a daily tabloid newspaper in New York City that was founded in 1801 by Alexander Hamilton. It is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the United States and has a reputation for its provocative headlines and politically conservative views. Some key facts about the New York Post:
- It has the 7th highest circulation among newspapers in the US
- It is owned by News Corp, under Rupert Murdoch’s control since 1976
- It endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2016
- It is known for its celebrity gossip column Page Six
The New York Post has a mixed reputation and has faced criticism over the years for its sensationalist headlines and reporting. However, it remains one of the most prominent tabloids in the US.
History and Ownership
The New York Post was founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801 as the New-York Evening Post. It originally started as a Federalist paper in support of Hamilton’s policies. After a series of ownership changes, it was bought in 1976 by Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch who made the Post into a sensationalist tabloid focusing on celebrity gossip and crime.
The paper is currently owned by News Corporation which also owns news outlets like The Wall Street Journal and Fox News. The Post is known for being politically conservative and endorsing Republican candidates such as Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Donald Trump.
Writing and Reporting
The New York Post has faced a lot of criticism over the years for its provocative headlines and sensationalist reporting. Some examples include:
- “Headless body in topless bar” – referring to a 1983 murder
- “Granny Executed in Her Pink Pajamas” – about a murder in the 1990s
- “Wife rips off cheating hubby’s penis” – reporting on a case of domestic violence
The paper focuses heavily on celebrity gossip, notorious crimes, and scandalous stories rather than hard news. This focus on attention-grabbing headlines and hyperbole has led many to consider the Post a tabloid rag rather than a serious news source.
However, the Post does have a large reporting staff and has broken a number of major stories over the years including:
- The Lewinsky scandal involving President Bill Clinton
- The 2006 Duke lacrosse team rape allegations (which turned out to be false)
- Details about Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden’s 2011 resignation
So while sensationalism remains part of the paper’s brand, the Post has demonstrated the ability to deliver substantive reporting on major issues as well.
Political Coverage
The New York Post is well-known for its politically conservative bias and advocacy for Republican candidates and causes. A few examples of its right-leaning tendencies include:
- Strongly supporting Rudy Giuliani during his tenure as NYC mayor in the 1990s.
- Endorsing George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.
- Promoting birther conspiracy theories about President Barack Obama.
- Endorsing Donald Trump in the 2016 election.
The paper has frequently published op-eds from conservatives like Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and other Fox News personalities. Its political coverage skews heavily pro-Trump and pro-Republican with sensationalized attacks on Democrats and liberal figures.
During the 2020 election, the Post made headlines for publishing stories based on questionable sourcing attacking Joe Biden’s son Hunter in an effort to denigrate the Biden campaign. The biased nature of its election coverage has led to accusations that the Post serves more as a political tool for Rupert Murdoch rather than as a journalistic publication.
Influence and Readership
While the New York Post has a reputation for tabloid-style writing, it does have some significant influence as the oldest continuously published daily paper in the US with the 7th highest circulation. Some key stats about its reach:
- Average weekday print circulation of approximately 350,000 (as of 2021).
- Nearly 90 million combined monthly unique visitors for print and online (as of 2020).
- One of the most widely read papers within the NYC metropolitan area.
- Popular nationally for its viral news and entertainment stories.
The paper’s readership also skews more conservative, older, blue collar, and suburban compared to the more liberal New York Times. It provides an important voice for the right in a predominantly liberal NYC media environment. However, its sensationalist tendencies have also limited its credibility with some mainstream readers.
Controversies
The New York Post has repeatedly found itself embroiled in controversy throughout its history, both for its provocative content and alleged ethical lapses. Some major scandals include:
- In 1983, the Post was successfully sued by entertainer Carol Burnett over false claims in a gossip column about her alleged public drunkenness.
- During the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal in 1998, Clinton advisor Sidney Blumenthal accused the Post of paying sources for information.
- In 2006, the paper published a controversial cartoon depicting a chimpanzee being shot that many saw as racist commentary linking African Americans to apes.
- In 2013, two reporters were fired for falsely reporting that two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing were Baghdadi.
These incidents and other inflammatory reporting by the Post have harmed its reputation with some readers. However, such controversies have done little to dampen the loyalty of its largely right-leaning audience base.
Conclusion
The New York Post has a well-earned reputation as a provocative tabloid with a conservative political bent. For over two centuries, it has relied on sensationalist headlines, celebrity gossip and bare-knuckle political advocacy to appeal to its readers. This approach has made it one of the most widely read newspapers in the US, but at the cost of credibility with mainstream audiences. However, the Post continues to provide an important counterpoint to the more liberal voices in the NYC media landscape. Its large readership means the paper’s often controversial opinions and reporting remain highly influential in American politics and culture.