A legal battle over the future of Rupert Murdoch’s $14.9 billion media empire and family trust is set to begin on Monday in a US court.
The case, which will take place at the Washoe County Courthouse in Reno, Nevada, could shape the future of News Corp and Fox News, two of the most politically influential media companies globally.
The conflict centers around the 93-year-old media mogul’s efforts to amend the family trust he established in 1999. The trust controls significant voting shares in News Corp and Fox News, and Murdoch’s proposed changes would ensure his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, inherits control of the companies without interference from his siblings. This move is being contested by his other three children—Prudence, Elisabeth, and James—who each have their own share of the trust’s voting power and are now uniting to challenge their father’s plan.
The family trust, which holds about 40% of the voting shares in both companies, initially stipulated that upon Rupert Murdoch’s death, the voting shares would be equally distributed among his four eldest children. However, differences in political ideologies and management visions have caused a rift in the family. Lachlan Murdoch, who currently chairs News Corp and Fox News, shares his father’s conservative views, while his siblings are seen as more moderate, with James, in particular, having resigned from News Corp in 2020 over disagreements about its editorial direction.
Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to secure sole control for Lachlan has reportedly been driven by his desire to maintain the conservative editorial stance of his media outlets. The private court proceedings, which are closed to the public, will seek to determine whether Murdoch is acting in good faith and whether his proposed changes are in the best interests of all his heirs.
The Murdoch family dynamics have often drawn comparisons to the popular TV show Succession, though the family has consistently denied any connection. The outcome of this court case could have significant implications for the future leadership of two of the most powerful media organizations in the world.
