The bright yellow news racks are hard to miss on New York City sidewalks — the New York Post has been a fixture of the city’s media landscape for over two centuries. What started as Alexander Hamilton’s quiet evening paper in 1801 grew into one of America’s most-read tabloids, known just as much for its eye-catching headlines as for its conservative editorial voice.

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Type: Daily tabloid · Founded: 1801 as New York Evening Post · Political leaning: Conservative · Facebook likes: 7.9 million · Instagram followers: 2 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Conservative daily tabloid per Wikipedia
  • Founded 1801 by Alexander Hamilton per Britannica
  • Bought by News Corp in 1976 for US$30.5 million per Wikipedia
2What’s unclear
  • Current daily circulation figures have not been independently verified in recent years
  • Exact bias rating variations across different monitoring periods
  • Primary source documents for internal editorial policies remain unavailable
3Timeline signal
  • 1801: Founded as New York Evening Post per Britannica
  • 1976: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp acquisition per Wikipedia
  • 2021: Banned CNN, MSNBC, WaPo, NYT as sole sources per Wikipedia
4What’s next
  • Continued evolution of digital strategy amid declining print readership
  • Ongoing role in shaping conservative media narratives in New York
  • Potential regulatory scrutiny as media consolidation debates continue

The table below aggregates key attributes about the New York Post drawn from multiple independent monitors and authoritative sources.

Attribute Value
Publication Daily tabloid
Location New York City
Founded 1801
Leaning Conservative
Website nypost.com
Media Bias Fact Check rating Right-Center, Mixed factual reporting
Ad Fontes Media rating Skews Right, Mixed Reliability
AllSides rating Lean Right
Dominion settlement April 2023, nearly $800 million

Is the New York Post liberal or conservative?

The New York Post has staked out a conservative editorial position for decades, a stance that independent media monitors have consistently documented. Multiple bias-rating organizations place the tabloid on the right side of the political spectrum.

Ownership and editorial stance

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp acquired the New York Post in 1976 for US$30.5 million, fundamentally shifting its editorial direction. Under Murdoch’s ownership, the paper adopted a more sensationalist tone and conservative bent similar to his other properties. Britannica notes the outlet is known for conservative editorial positions, salacious Page Six gossip, and outlandish headlines.

The ownership structure matters because editorial choices at the Post have sometimes drawn scrutiny for aligning with Murdoch’s broader business interests. Wikipedia documents accusations that the paper has “contorted news coverage to suit Murdoch’s business needs,” particularly regarding coverage of China’s government.

Media bias ratings

Three independent organizations track media bias systematically:

  • Media Bias Fact Check rates the New York Post as Right-Center with Mixed factual reporting and Medium Credibility.
  • Ad Fontes Media classifies the outlet as Skews Right with Mixed Reliability.
  • AllSides rates it as Lean Right.

The University of Michigan Library Guide provides useful context: AllSides rates the Wall Street Journal news operation as Center with Opinion Lean Right, while the New York Times and Washington Post Lean Left. This positions the Post firmly on the right end of the spectrum compared to its New York competitors.

The upshot

Independent monitors agree on conservative positioning, though they differ slightly on where exactly the outlet falls on the right spectrum. All rate it as leaning right; none rate it as far-right or extreme.

What is the New York Post bias?

Beyond the simple left-right designation, understanding the Post’s bias requires examining how that lean manifests in coverage choices, headline language, and story selection.

Bias examples in coverage

Media Bias Fact Check identifies specific patterns in the Post’s coverage. The outlet uses loaded words in headlines, republishes content from wire services like the Associated Press, and employs story selection that favors the right. One notable example: the Post called Iraq Study Group co-chairmen “surrender monkeys” — language that critics say frames complex policy debates through a partisan lens.

The outlet endorsed Donald Trump for reelection in 2020 while also publishing content that criticized his efforts to overturn election results. Britannica documents this nuanced position: support for Trump as a candidate but resistance to his more extreme post-election claims.

In January 2021, the Post instituted a policy forbidding the use of CNN, MSNBC, the Washington Post, and the New York Times as sole sources — a move that effectively limited citations from outlets perceived as center or left-leaning.

Criticisms of slant

The Columbia Journalism Review delivered one of the sharpest rebukes in 1980: the New York Post “is no longer merely a journalistic problem. It is a social problem—a force for evil.” This criticism, while now over four decades old, set the tone for ongoing scrutiny of the outlet’s practices.

More recent analysis from Ken Auletta, writing in The New Yorker in 2019, noted that Murdoch uses the Post to “belittle opponents” — suggesting the editorial voice serves strategic purposes beyond straightforward news reporting.

The Hunter Biden laptop story represents a significant recent case study. Wikipedia documents how the Post’s publication of material from Hunter Biden’s laptop increased scrutiny on Big Tech companies for limiting the story’s spread — positioning the outlet as a counterweight to perceived censorship by larger platforms.

Bottom line: The Post’s bias shapes headline language, source selection, and story placement in ways that consistently favor conservative framing. Readers who encounter Post coverage should expect that lens to be present even in straight news reporting.

Why is the New York Post so bad?

Critics have leveled several categories of complaints against the New York Post over the years, ranging from credibility concerns to sensationalism to advocacy disguised as news.

Common criticisms

The 2004 Pace University survey rated the Post as the least credible major news outlet in New York — a finding that Media Bias Fact Check still cites as relevant context for understanding the outlet’s standing. This perception has persisted even as digital competition has fragmented the media landscape.

Specific headline choices have drawn particular fire. The Post published “Slumlord found burned in dumpster” as a headline following the murder of Menachem Stark — a framing that critics said exploited the victim while using loaded language. Headlines like “Cop cold-cocks unarmed man ‘acting irate’ at restaurant” have similarly faced criticism for emotionally loaded wording that shapes reader interpretation before they engage with the story itself.

Media Bias Fact Check documents that the Post has failed several fact checks, contributing to its Mixed factual reporting rating. The outlet often publishes reports based solely on other sources without independent corroboration — a practice that can accelerate breaking news coverage but also spreads unverified claims.

Defenses of its style

Supporters argue that the Post serves readers who want accessible, engaging coverage that reflects their worldview. Tabloid journalism has always prioritized drama and clarity over the measured tone of broadsheet editorials. For readers who share the Post’s perspective, its coverage may feel like welcome recognition rather than biased framing.

The outlet also delivers genuine breaking news value. Page Six has broken stories that other outlets later pursued, and the Post’s speed on local news gives it a real-time advantage in New York coverage.

What to watch

The Post’s Mixed factual rating means readers should verify claims through independent sources before acting on them. The gap between its right-center bias and the broader media landscape means conservative framing will color even straight news coverage.

New York Post today

In 2025, the New York Post continues to operate within a transformed media landscape. Print circulation has declined industry-wide, but the outlet’s digital presence maintains significant reach through social media platforms and nypost.com.

Top headlines

The homepage feeds latest news across multiple categories: politics, business, sports, entertainment, and metro coverage. The outlet publishes continuously throughout the day, competing with digital-native outlets for attention on breaking stories.

The Post’s coverage priorities reflect its conservative audience: strong emphasis on crime stories, Republican politicians, business news, and cultural battles that resonate with right-leaning readers.

Latest updates

Social media engagement provides one measure of current relevance. With 7.9 million Facebook likes and 2 million Instagram followers, the Post commands audience sizes that most local outlets cannot match. X (formerly Twitter) activity remains consistent, with regular posts throughout each day.

The April 2023 Dominion settlement — in which Murdoch’s Fox News paid nearly $800 million over election fraud claims — cast a brief spotlight on the Murdoch media ecosystem broadly. The New York Post’s role within that ecosystem remains unchanged, though scrutiny of its practices has drawn occasional attention from media reform advocates.

The catch

The Post’s massive social following reflects brand recognition and tabloid appeal, not necessarily quality journalism. High engagement numbers can coexist with credibility concerns — a pattern media researchers have documented across the industry.

New York Post cover today

The front page of the New York Post remains one of the most recognizable in American journalism — yellow backgrounds, bold headlines, dramatic photography. Understanding what makes those covers work requires examining both their aesthetic choices and their editorial logic.

Front page analysis

Tabloid covers prioritize visual impact and emotional response. A dramatic crime photo or celebrity image catches eye-level attention in news racks. The headline beneath provides context, but the image does the initial work of stopping passersby.

This design philosophy shapes editorial priorities. Stories that translate well to bold imagery and punchy headlines get front-page treatment; stories requiring nuance or extended analysis more often run inside.

Recent cover trends

Recent covers have featured high-profile crime stories, Trump-related coverage, and local New York news. The Page Six tradition continues with celebrity and gossip content, maintaining the outlet’s long-standing balance of hard news and entertainment.

Political covers tend toward sharp-edged headlines that frame stories through an explicitly conservative lens. This approach aligns with the outlet’s editorial positioning while serving readers who want coverage that reflects their political perspective.

Why this matters

Cover design is not neutral. The choices about what image, what headline, what story gets the front page all reflect editorial judgments. Readers who understand those choices can read the Post more critically — taking what they need while recognizing the framing at work.

The New York Post is no longer merely a journalistic problem. It is a social problem—a force for evil.

— Columbia Journalism Review, 1980

Murdoch uses the Post to belittle opponents.

— Ken Auletta, The New Yorker, 2019

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Founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801, the New York Post endures as Americas oldest daily newspaper while embracing its role as a conservative tabloid voice in NYC journalism.

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Frequently asked questions

What topics does the New York Post cover?

The Post covers news, sports, entertainment, business, politics, and metro coverage for New York City. Its tabloid format prioritizes stories with broad appeal and visual impact.

Who founded the New York Post?

Alexander Hamilton founded the New York Evening Post in 1801. The paper was originally a Federalist-aligned publication before evolving through multiple ownership changes to its current conservative stance.

How can I follow the New York Post on social media?

The New York Post maintains active presences on Facebook (7.9 million likes), Instagram (2 million followers), and X (formerly Twitter) with regular posting throughout each day.

What makes the New York Post different from other NY papers?

Unlike the New York Times (Lean Left per AllSides) or the Wall Street Journal’s news operation (Center), the Post occupies a clearly conservative, tabloid-style position. Its Page Six gossip column and sensational headlines set it apart aesthetically as well as politically.

Is the New York Post part of a larger media group?

Yes. News Corp, owned by Rupert Murdoch, has owned the Post since 1976. The company also controls the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and numerous other media properties.

What are examples of New York Post headlines?

Headlines like “Cop cold-cocks unarmed man ‘acting irate’ at restaurant” and “It’s time for Bill Clinton to take a walk in the Chappaqua woods” illustrate the Post’s style: punchy, emotionally loaded, and explicitly framed. These examples come from Media Bias Fact Check’s analysis of the outlet’s coverage.

How often does the New York Post publish?

The Post publishes daily in print and continuously online. The nypost.com website updates throughout each day with breaking news, while social media channels maintain constant presence.

How reliable is the New York Post?

Media Bias Fact Check rates the Post as Medium Credibility with Mixed factual reporting. Independent bias monitors consistently note that the outlet has failed several fact checks, though it also breaks genuine news stories that other outlets pursue. Readers should verify specific claims through additional sources.

The New York Post occupies a distinctive space in American media: a 224-year-old institution that has cycled through Federalist origins, progressive ownership, and its current conservative incarnation. For readers seeking conservative perspective on New York and national news, the Post delivers familiar framing and rapid coverage. For readers seeking independent verification or alternative viewpoints, cross-referencing with outlets like the New York Times or Washington Post provides necessary balance.