Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch appear to be buddying up.
The White House has confirmed "they have been friends for a long time" and "speak on occasion", while a new report portrays the US president and the Australian-born media mogul as confidants.
"Murdoch has told close associates that the nation's 45th president calls to confer frequently - as often as multiple times a week - and that he has visited the White House to meet with Trump more than once," US broadcaster, NPR, reported on Tuesday.
Mr Murdoch has often built relationships with world leaders, including Australian and British prime ministers.
His FOX News TV channel has been a vocal supporter of Mr Trump and his Republican Party.
The White House did not respond to requests to elaborate on the nature or content of Mr Murdoch's conversations with the president, NPR said.
The White House has not released visitor logs, although press aides have said they are working to set that up.
"They have been friends for a long time," White House press secretary Sean Spicer, describing the billionaires' relationship, wrote in an email to NPR.
"They speak on occasion as the president does with all his friends."
