Rupert Murdoch phones Trump every week to talk strategy and console Spicer after Holocaust gaffe

  • A report reveals Rupert Murdoch called Sean Spicer after his holocaust gaffe
  • Murdoch and President Trump 'plot strategy' on the phone every week 
  • The News Corps chairman is reportedly one of the president's closest friends

By Kaileen Gaul For Dailymail.com

Published: 18:13 EST, 22 April 2017 | Updated: 22:21 EST, 22 April 2017

President Donald Trump's media mogul pal Rupert Murdoch phoned Sean Spicer to console him after his humiliating gaffe about the Holocaust.

A New York Times report reveals Murdoch and Trump chat on the phone every week. Murdoch, the chairman of Trump's favorite network Fox News, is one of the president's closest friends.

Murdoch even called Sean Spicer after the press secretary wrongfully implied Hitler wasn't as bad as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad because he didn't resort to using chemical weapons.

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Donald Trump played golf with Rupert Murdoch while campaigning for president in June 2016

Donald Trump played golf with Rupert Murdoch while campaigning for president in June 2016

Hitler, of course, notoriously used gas chambers to kill Jews at concentration camps during the Second World War.

Spicer also mistakenly called concentration camps 'Holocaust centers' in the April press conference in Washington, D.C. 

Spicer issued several statements after the blunder to apologize and spoke at the Newseum's 'President and the Press' event where he said he let down the president. 

'I screwed up,' Spicer said multiple times, explaining that he felt badly about the gaffe on both a personal and professional level. 'From a professional level, I think it's disappointing because I think I let the president down,' he noted.

Sources close to Trump and Murdoch also told the Times the duo 'commiserate and plot strategy in their phone calls.' 

Murdoch reportedly called Sean Spicer to console him after the press secretary said Hitler didn't use chemical weapons in a press conference

Murdoch reportedly called Sean Spicer to console him after the press secretary said Hitler didn't use chemical weapons in a press conference

The New York Post and Fox News, both News Corp organizations which Murdoch chairs, supported Trump when he was running for president. 

On Twitter, Trump has spoken both favorably and critically of Murdoch and his media empire.

In January of 2015, Trump was critical of The New York Post for how they covered how Trump was faring in Iowa: 'I guess Rupert Murdoch and the @nypost don't like Donald Trump. Such false reporting about my big hit in Iowa. Even my enemies said "bull."'

Two years later on January 9, two weeks before Trump's inauguration, the president-elect tweeted: 'Rupert Murdoch is a great guy who likes me much better as a very successful candidate than he ever did as a very successful developer!'

WHO DOES TRUMP SPEAK TO OUTSIDE THE WEST WING?

The list of people outside of the West Wing who President Trump confides in according to a New York Times report ranges from television personalities, to childhood friends to his own children. 

Sean Hannity 

The Fox News host reportedly encourages the commander in chief to stay focused on issues such as repealing the Affordable Care Act. But Hannity vehemently denied the special relationship on Twitter saying after the article was published: 'The @nytimes has no clue who I talk to as I refuse to EVER TALK TO THEM! @POTUS knows you are FAKE NEWS and I doubt he talks to u either.'

Roger Stone

The conservative radio host who defends the president on his show 'Stone Cold Truth'. He did not disclose to the Times how often he still speaks to the president. 

Roger Stone has defended the president on his radio show 'Stone Cold Truth'

Roger Stone has defended the president on his radio show 'Stone Cold Truth'

Chris Ruddy

The article reports the chief executive of Newsmax Media recently visited the Oval Office.  He is also reportedly a member at Mar-a-lago and lives in Boca Raton, Florida. 

Eric and Donald Trump Jr.

Unlike their sister who has an office in the West Wing, Trump's oldest sons do not have a political role. The president says the two do not talk business when they speak. However, in March, Trump Jr. said he 'basically [has] zero contact' with his father. The Times says the president chats with his sons about their personal lives regularly.

Robert Kraft

The Patriots owner has been photographed with Trump since the election at Mar-a-Lago and when the Superbowl victors visited the White House. Trump has supported the Patriots on Twitter and in interviews. 

Robert Kraft visits Mar-a-Lago and also visited the White House with the Patriots

Robert Kraft visits Mar-a-Lago and also visited the White House with the Patriots

Ike Perlmutter

According to the Times, the Marvel Comics chief executive has advised the president on veterans issues. Like Kraft, he has also been seen at Mar-a-Lago since the election.

Melania Trump

Though she does not live in the White House, the unconventional First Lady has reportedly had a role in the president's toned-down Twitter.  

Corey Lewandowski

Though he was fired by Trump as campaign manager, Lewandowski still visits the West Wing from time to time. The Times also reports he can see the West Wing from his lobbying office window on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Corey Lewandowski reportedly still visits the president in the West Wing  

Corey Lewandowski reportedly still visits the president in the West Wing  

Chris Christie

The New Jersey governor was one of Trump's early supporters after he dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination. He visits the Oval Office regularly. 

Sheri Dillon 

Trump's lawyer helped him sort out his controversial business arrangement that allows him to retain ownership of his company and let his sons run it. She has made at least one visit to the White House, according to the Times. 

Richard LeFrak

LeFrak is Trump's childhood friend and a Mar-a-Lago member as well. Both of their fathers were real estate developers in New York. 

Stephen Schwarzman

The Blackstone Group chairman and chief executive and the president speak frequently but not daily, according to the Times. This isn't a surprise since he is also on the economic advisory council. 

Steve Roth

The CEO of Vornado Realty Trust reportedly speaks with the president frequently and will assist him in developing a infrastructure package later this year.

Phil Ruffin

Trump was the best man at his 82-year-old business partner's wedding. Ruffin's businesses are largely in casinos. 

Carl Icahn

Icahn and the president were both born in Queens and he is a real estate mogul. He serves as an economic counselor to the president. 

Paul Ryan

Unsurprisingly, the president's relationship with Ryan is better than it was before the Speaker of the House supported Trump. The Times reports they are now 'foxhole buddies' or close friends. 

Thomas Barrack Jr.

Barrack, an investor, was reportedly the person who helped Paul Manafort into Trump's team last year.  Barrack apparently sends the president encouraging emails. 

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