Alexander Hamilton founded the New York Post in 1801 to promote his political agenda.

On November 16, 1801, Alexander Hamilton and a group of investors established the New-York Evening Post. Hamilton provided about $1,000 of his own money toward the initial $10,000 capital needed to start the publication. His primary goal was to create a powerful Federalist mouthpiece to counter the growing influence of the Democratic-Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson.The paper's first editor was William Coleman, who worked closely with Hamilton to craft editorials that shaped early American policy. During the 19th century, the paper transitioned from a political broadsheet to a more traditional news format. It notably supported the anti-slavery movement and the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.The New York Post holds the record as the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the U.S. because it never missed a daily edition since its founding. Other older papers like the Hartford Courant began as weeklies rather than dailies. In 1976, the paper was purchased by media mogul Rupert Murdoch for $30.5 million, shifting its tone toward the tabloid style it is known for today.The longevity of the Post is remarkable when compared to other American icons. It began operations 78 years before Thomas Edison patented the incandescent lightbulb in 1879. It was also active for 85 years before the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor in 1886.