Rupert Murdoch Tries To Cut Three Of His Kids Out Of The Family’s Trust, Give Control Of Right-Wing Media Empire To Son Lachlan

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 93, wants to change the terms of the family’s trust so that his newspapers and television networks remain controlled by his chosen heir and eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch.

Through the trust, Murdoch controls News Corp and Fox, with roughly a 40% stake in each company’s voting shares. As is, upon Murdoch’s death, his voting shares will be transferred and divided equally between his four eldest children: Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence.

Although Lachlan is the sole chairman of News Corp and Fox, after Murdoch’s death, his three siblings would be able to outvote him and create a battle for leadership over the companies. Lachlan’s three siblings reportedly harbor more politically moderate views than Lachlan and Murdoch’s traditional conservative beliefs. Famously a right-wing network, Fox News’ political tone could potentially shift away from its roots to become a more moderate news source with input from Lachlan’s siblings.

Last week, James, who has previously donated to progressive political groups, signed a public letter that endorsed Kamala Harris for president. He called her election, “The best way to support the continued strength, security, and reliability of our democracy and economy.” In 2020, James resigned from his role on the News Corp board due to disagreements about the editorial content.

The amendment Murdoch is vying for would prevent any interference from his three other children and keep his companies solely under Lachlan’s control. Lachlan will reportedly have to convince the court that the amendments to the trust would not “sacrifice the rights, or discriminate against, any of the parties that this trust was intended to protect.”

The battle over the global media empire has far-reaching implications, as it encompasses the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, as well as numerous print and media outlets in Australia and the UK.

All members of the Murdoch family have remained quiet about the case. The court hearing will take place in Reno, Nevada.