LA Times owner mulls MAGA-friendly digital news outlet featuring Candace Owens, Scott Jennings: report
The billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times is reportedly in the process of launching a new MAGA-leaning digital news service that will feature controversial commentator Candace Owens and pro-Trump CNN pundit Scott Jennings.Dr.Patrick Soon-Shiong, the biopharmaceutical mogul who bought the venerable newspaper in 2018, has been working with Republican strategist Eric Beach on a new media venture tentatively called LAT Next, according to the Status newsletter.Soon-Shiong, who has demanded the Times pivot away from its left-wing bent, sparked a newsroom revolt after killing the editorial board’s endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris weeks before the Nov.
5 election.Unlike the Times, LAT Next appears to be a digital-first platform that will feature personalities catering to a conservative audience, Status’ Oliver Darcy reported on Wednesday.Owens has been involved in multiple controversies, particularly regarding her comments on Israel and Jews.Most recently, she parted ways with The Daily Wire after making remarks that were widely condemned as antisemitic, escalating her public feud with co-founder Ben Shapiro over the Israel-Palestinian conflict.Despite sharing part of the Times’ branding, LAT Next is reportedly a separate entity, though the specifics of its relationship with the newspaper remain unclear.Hints of the new venture have surfaced on social media.Last week, Soon-Shiong revealed that the conservative Jennings, who has gotten into heated debates with left-leaning pundits on CNN, would be involved in the project.
Jennings was also named to the LA Times editorial board after several members quit following the spiked endorsement.Additional names being floated include Ana Kasparian, a progressive commentator who has expressed criticism of certain left-wing policies.Soon-Shiong’s plans for a pro-Trump entity is said to be causing angst among staffers at the Times — particularly in light of management’s recent buyout offer for anyone wh...