New York Times publisher hands reins to younger son

In what has become a tradition at The New York Times, Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr., 66, has stepped down as publisher of The New York Times and passed the baton to his son, Arthur G. Sulzberger, 37, the paper announced Thursday afternoon. 

The paper of record has been in the Sulzberger family since 1896. Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. took over from his father, Arthur “Punch” Sulzberger, 25 years ago. 

 

A.G. Sulzberger graduates from his deputy publisher position, which he was promoted to in 2016 as the family prepared to hands the reigns over to the Brown University alum.

 

Breaking News: A.G. Sulzberger, 37, will succeed his father as New York Times publisher, the company’s top job. He has helped lead The Times’s digital push. https://t.co/Z09AxmunBK

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 14, 2017

A.G. Sulzberger takes over a publication that enjoyed a spectacular year on the digital subscriptions during President Trump’s unpredictable first year in office.

 

In July, the Times announced it had surpassed 3.3 million print and digital subscribers and doubled its digital base in the past two years alone, while the paper’s online content averages more than 140 million unique visitors per month, according to the company.

 

President Trump often attacks The New York Times for its reporting, including on Monday when he slammed the paper over a report that said, via unnamed sources, that he watches 4-8 hours of television a day.

 

“Another false story, this time in the Failing @nytimes, that I watch 4-8 hours of television a day — Wrong!” Trump wrote on Twitter to his 44.7 million followers.

Another false story, this time in the Failing @nytimes, that I watch 4-8 hours of television a day – Wrong! Also, I seldom, if ever, watch CNN or MSNBC, both of which I consider Fake News. I never watch Don Lemon, who I once called the “dumbest man on television!” Bad Reporting.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2017

 

“My focus as publisher will be on ensuring the continued journalistic excellence and commercial success of The Times through a period of transformation for the news industry,” A.G. Sulzberger said in the statement.