After Trump Announces Candidacy... Support Withdrawn and Mockery Ensue

Private Equity Blackstone Founder "Will Support New Figures"
Murdoch-Owned New York Post "You Know Because You've Been Through It" Mockery

Former U.S. President Donald Trump [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Byunghee Park and Yujin Cho] As former U.S. President Donald Trump (photo) announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, voices opposing his run have been rising.

According to major foreign media on the 16th (local time), Steven Schwarzman, chairman of Blackstone, the world's largest private equity firm, issued a statement that day saying he does not support Trump's bid for the presidency again. Foreign media noted that Schwarzman was once an important supporter of former President Trump, and his withdrawal of support carries significant meaning.

In his statement, Schwarzman argued that the Republican Party needs new blood. He said, "It would be better for the U.S. if leaders are rooted in the future rather than the past," adding, "It is time for the Republican Party to form new leadership, and I will support one of the new figures in the Republican presidential primary."

Schwarzman helped form a committee to advise on economic policy immediately after Trump's 2016 presidential victory and even accompanied him on his first overseas trip after inauguration, maintaining a close relationship with the former president. When Trump claimed fraud after losing the 2020 election, Schwarzman defended him, stating that Trump had the right to challenge the election results. However, Schwarzman has recently raised his voice publicly criticizing Trump's actions.

Ken Griffin, founder of another private equity firm Citadel, also stated in a recent interview with Bloomberg that Trump had been a three-time loser since the 2018 midterm elections and that he would support Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate. Griffin also argued that the Republican Party needs to prepare for change and new figures. He has already donated $5 million to DeSantis, who was re-elected governor in the midterms.

Conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch's outlets such as Fox News, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), and the New York Post have also shown cynical reactions to Trump's candidacy.

On that day, the New York Post placed the article about Trump's presidential bid declaration on page 26 instead of the front page. The front page carried a teaser headline, "Florida Man Announces," directing readers to page 26. By referring to Trump as "Florida Man" instead of using his name or title "former president," the Post belittled him.

The article titled "Been there, Don that" disparaged his three consecutive presidential bids: the 2016 victory, the 2020 re-election loss, and the 2024 candidacy announcement. The phrase "Done that" was twisted to "Don that," playing on the similar pronunciation of Donald's nickname "Don" to mock him.

The New York Post ridiculed, "Just 720 days before the election, a retiree from Florida suddenly announced his candidacy," adding, "Avid golfer Trump started his presidential bid at his Mar-a-Lago resort, which is like a confidential document library."

It emphasized that Trump will be 78 years old in 2024 and, if elected, would share the title of oldest president with current President Joe Biden. It sarcastically noted, "His cholesterol level is unknown, but his favorite food is a blackened steak with ketchup."

CNN pointed out, "If Murdoch has turned his back on former President Trump, the next two years until the election will not be smooth for him."

Despite the Republican Senate's defeat in the midterm elections, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, considered an anti-Trump figure, was re-elected. McConnell criticized the qualifications of candidates supported by Trump in the recent midterms, drawing a clear line.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.