News Corp has warned Donald Trump that artificial intelligence is exploiting the content of his books, using the moment to draw attention to the risks posed by generative AI to copyright and publishing. The company, owned by Rupert Murdoch, made the remarks in its fourth-quarter earnings report and in comments from chief executive Robert Thomson, who said AI systems are “cannibalising” Trump’s works and profiting from his ideas.
“The AI age must cherish the value of intellectual property if we are collectively to realize our potential,” the company said in its statement. “Even the president of the United States is not immune to blatant theft. The president’s books are still reporting healthy sales, but are being consumed by AI engines which profit from his thoughts by cannibalizing his concepts, thus undermining future sales of his books. Suddenly, The Art of the Deal has become The Art of the Steal.”
News Corp’s warning comes amid ongoing lawsuits by publishers and news organisations against AI companies, including OpenAI and Perplexity AI, over the unauthorised use of copyrighted material to train generative models. The company has positioned itself as a leading voice in the campaign for tighter AI copyright regulation and has entered “advanced negotiations” with several AI companies over the use of its content, according to Thomson.
“It’s clear that many of them have come to recognize that the purchase of [intellectual property] is as important as the acquisition of semiconductors or the securing of stable energy sources,” Thomson said on Tuesday’s earnings call. “We prefer the former, but we will never shy away from protecting our property rights.”
The company’s statement to Trump also comes as the White House reviews AI policy under the recently announced “AI action plan,” which would loosen regulations put in place by the previous administration. The intersection of copyright, AI, and high-profile political figures has brought increased attention to the issue from both policymakers and the public.
News Corp’s unusually direct warning to Trump highlights the growing intersection between AI, copyright, and political strategy. While there is no public evidence that the company is seeking to prompt Trump to enact specific legislative or executive action, the timing and tone of its messaging suggest a calculated effort to elevate the issue within current policy debates. By linking Trump’s own intellectual property to broader concerns about AI, News Corp may be aiming to influence the administration’s stance as it considers changes to US AI regulation. The move reflects the company’s longstanding position as a vocal proponent of stronger copyright protections in the digital era.
The earnings report also noted strong digital subscription growth for News Corp’s business publications, and announced the launch of a new California-based tabloid, the California Post, in early 2026. News Corp continues to pursue both legal action and direct negotiations with AI companies, signalling that copyright and content ownership will remain central issues as generative AI tools become more widespread in publishing and media.
