The Murdoch family is embroiled in a heated legal battle over control of their vast conservative media empire. This high-stakes struggle involves patriarch Rupert Murdoch’s children, each vying for influence over News Corp and Fox Corp, companies that shape much of the conservative media landscape.
Rupert Murdoch, now 92, recently announced he would step down from his roles as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp in November, transitioning to the role of chairman emeritus. His eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, will take over as CEO of both companies. This shift comes during a tumultuous time for the media empire, which has faced numerous legal challenges and internal conflicts.
War has erupted inside the all-powerful Murdoch family. Rupert has launched legal action to effectively change his will, handing Lachlan control of his empire when he dies. https://t.co/5zYfOfGqUb @MyleeHogan #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/xMGIvvbl2j
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) July 25, 2024
The roots of this family feud are deep. Rupert Murdoch built his empire from a single Australian newspaper into a global powerhouse, including Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post. His ruthless business tactics and political maneuvering are legendary, often pitting his children against one another in a bid to determine his successor. This strategy is widely believed to have inspired the popular HBO series "Succession".
Lachlan Murdoch, seen as more conservative than his father, has been at the helm of Fox Corp and News Corp in recent years, shaping the direction of these influential media outlets. However, his tenure has not been without controversy. Fox News recently settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million over false claims that Dominion’s voting machines rigged the 2020 presidential election. The network faces a similar lawsuit from Smartmatic, seeking $2.7 billion in damages.
The Murdoch Family Is Battling Over the Future of the Fox Empire https://t.co/d7uKJSulYc pic.twitter.com/g5YjsCOCWK
— Carlos Barón (@CarlosBaron_) July 26, 2024
Meanwhile, James Murdoch, Rupert's younger son, has distanced himself from the family's conservative stance. Known for his more liberal views, James resigned from the News Corp board in 2020, citing "disagreements over certain editorial content." His departure underscored the ideological rift within the family.
Despite his resignation, James, along with his siblings Lachlan, Elisabeth, and Prudence, will hold equal voting rights in the Murdoch Family Trust, which controls the family's shares in News Corp and Fox Corp once Rupert Murdoch passes away.
Lachlan’s new leadership role comes with significant challenges. The company must navigate the fallout from its 2020 election coverage and subsequent legal battles, which have damaged its reputation and led to the firing of prominent host Tucker Carlson. Additionally, the network is dealing with lawsuits from former employees and external figures claiming damages from its editorial decisions .
As the Murdoch family saga continues, the future of their media empire hangs in the balance. The outcome of this legal battle will determine not only the direction of Fox News and News Corp but also the broader conservative media landscape in the United States.
