The Wall Street Journal is raising new questions about Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s continued usefulness in the White House. In an editorial published Wednesday, the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper said the couple needed to consider whether it was time to leave the West Wing.
“Mr. Kushner and Ivanka have to decide if they’d serve themselves and the President better by walking away from their formal White House roles,” wrote the paper’s editorial board. “Giving up their White House positions would be a bitter remedy, but Mr. Kushner and first daughter Ivanka could still offer advice as outsiders.”
WSJ warned that if Jared Kushner’s contacts with Russia were more extensive than is currently known, it would be smart for him to leave his position in the White House.
“He and President Trump would both better off if Mr. Kushner were out of the White House before they become public,” the paper said.
The argument was repeated almost verbatim on Fox News Thursday afternoon by Chris Wallace.
Anti-Kushner drumbeat growing in Murdoch-land
Chris Wallace today:
"What's clear to me in all of this is that the long knives are out for Jared Kushner"WSJ Editorial yesterday:
"The long knives are out for Mr. Kushner"https://t.co/iTlteFFpea pic.twitter.com/i12RBt34wp— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) March 1, 2018
Despite being a critical part of the pro-Trump media, the Wall Street Journal and Murdoch have taken a tougher line with the president in recent weeks.
In January, Trump accused the paper of misrepresenting an Oval Office interview he granted them about North Korea. Both the White House and WSJ released their own audio to substantiate their version of events.
The Murdoch-owned New York Post — a Trump favorite — has also taken an increasingly strident position in favor of gun control.
“Mr. President, please act,” the tabloid blared in very large letters last month after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. “We need sensible gun control to help stop the slaughter.”