Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire biopharmaceutical mogul who purchased the Los Angeles Times in 2018, is reportedly launching a new conservative-leaning digital news platform, tentatively named LAT Next, in collaboration with Republican strategist Eric Beach. The platform will cater to a pro-Trump audience, featuring high-profile personalities such as controversial commentator Candace Owens and CNN pundit Scott Jennings. This marks a significant pivot from the newspaper’s historically left-leaning editorial stance, with Soon-Shiong hoping to counterbalance the Times‘ traditional left-wing approach.
Details of the new venture remain under wraps, but sources suggest that LAT Next will be a digital-first platform, with an emphasis on video content. Rumors indicate that the service may feature a talk show similar to “The View.” Owens, known for her passionate opinions and no-apology delivery, and Jennings, known for his fiery debates with liberal pundits on CNN, are expected to play key roles in the new media venture.
Soon-Shiong’s decisions regarding the Los Angeles Times have already caused significant disruption within the newspaper. In 2024, he broke from convention when he intervened in the editorial board’s endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris, killing it just weeks before the election. The decision left staff members furious. His ongoing efforts to steer the paper in a more moderate direction have continued to fuel tensions within the newsroom.
Soon-Shiong has also instructed left-leaning columnists to reduce their output and scaling back contributions from prominent voices like Robin Abcarian, Jackie Calmes, and LZ Granderson. This move was further evidence that the Times is undergoing a strategic shift toward a more balanced or conservative editorial direction, hoping to better align with the public.
The announcement of LAT Next comes at a time when the Los Angeles Times is grappling with financial losses. Recently, the paper’s management offered voluntary buyouts to staffers, including those who had been with the paper for less than two years. This move has generated anxiety among journalists, who are concerned about job cuts and resource reallocations. The buyouts have added to the already tense atmosphere in the newsroom, where employees feel that their hard work has not been properly acknowledged.
The Los Angeles Times’ evolving direction, particularly under Soon-Shiong’s ownership, raises questions about the future of traditional media outlets and their ability to balance editorial independence with business interests. With LAT Next potentially becoming a new player in the conservative media landscape, the ramifications for both the Times and the broader media ecosystem remain to be seen. As the media world continues to polarize, Soon-Shiong’s bet on a pro-Trump digital news service may be watched closely by other traditionally left-leaning legacy media outlets struggling financially.
READ NEXT: LA Times Owner Teases Tech-Driven ‘Bias Meter’
