NEW YORK (TIP): The founder of the global News Corp media empire, Rupert Murdoch, issued an apology on Thursday after he faced social media backlash following his suggestion that President Barack Obama isn’t a “real black President.”

Apologies! No offence meant. Personally find both men charming. – Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 8, 2015

Murdoch was praising Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson and his wife on Twitter on Wednesday when he wrote: “Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide?”

Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide? And much else. – Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch)