Earlier this week, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received the endorsement of The New York Observer. The paper’s statement of support came as no surprise since it’s owned by Jared Kushner, who’s married to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka.
On Thursday night, Trump got another newspaper endorsement that didn’t come with familial ties. The New York Post, a tabloid that’s part of the Rupert Murdoch-owned News Corp. (NWS) empire, said it was supporting Trump in the state’s GOP primary not necessarily because of his candidacy so far, but because of the “promise” he holds. It characterized Trump as the city’s native son—the candidate who best exudes “New York values.”
A plain-talking entrepreneur with outer-borough, common-sense sensibilities.
Trump is a do-er. As a businessman, he’s created jobs for thousands. And he’s proven how a private-sector, can-do approach can rip through government red tape and get things done
The Post’s editorial board said Trump’s presidency won’t necessarily reflect his campaign. He’ll “pivot” after winning the nomination “not just on the issues, but in his manner.” He’ll become “more presidential: better informed on policy, more self-disciplined and less thin-skinned.” The paper acknowledged that Trump has made mistakes due to his status as a “rookie” candidate, but it’s looking past those flubs since he’s “electrified the public, drawing millions of new voters to the polls and inspiring people who’d given up on ever again having a candidate who’d fight for them.” It called him “an imperfect messenger carrying a vital message.”
The Post’s main rival, the New York Daily News, endorsed Ohio Governor John Kasich on Wednesday.
Trump likely welcomes the Post’s endorsement, though it doesn’t seem like he needs it. Polls show he holds a big lead over his rivals ahead of New York’s primary on Tuesday.