Rupert Murdoch, the patriarch of the Murdoch family media empire, is currently embroiled in a secret legal battle with three of his children over the future of the family’s media businesses. Murdoch, 93, wants to change the terms of the family trust to ensure that his eldest son, Lachlan, remains in charge of the conservative-leaning media outlets after his death. His other children, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence, are fighting back against this move. The trust currently gives control of the family business to all four oldest children equally when Murdoch dies, but he is arguing in court that only by empowering Lachlan can he preserve the conservative editorial bent of the company.
The battle has driven a wedge into the famously fractured family, and the siblings are represented by high-profile lawyers. Murdoch’s advanced age has added urgency to the situation as the future of one of the most politically influential media companies hangs in the balance. The family’s diverging political views have exacerbated tensions, with Murdoch and Lachlan aligning more closely during Donald Trump’s rise, pushing Fox News further to the right.
The struggle for control of the media conglomerate has pushed Elisabeth, Prudence, and James into a unified front against their father, arguing that his actions violate the spirit of the initial trust. The trial to determine Murdoch’s intentions and whether the changes to the trust were made in good faith is expected to start in September. The outcome of the legal battle will not only determine the future of the Murdoch empire but also the relationships within the family.
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