Rupert Murdoch infuriates family over plan to hand control of media empire to son Lachlan

Murdoch argued that by ensuring Lachlan assumed control over both Fox Corp and News Corp, the conservative bent that has made the business what it is would be preserved. He feared that his other children, who are further left on the political spectrum, might work to move the companies in a more moderate direction.

According to the New York Times, a Nevada probate commissioner found that Murdoch could legally amend the trust to shift control entirely to Lachlan only if he managed to prove that the decision was made in good faith and only for the benefit of all the children. In anticipation of a trial, expected to kick off in September, Murdoch and the three children aside from Lachlan have lawyered up.

The trio has hired Gary Bornstein while their father is set to be represented by Adam Streisand, who has experience dealing with the disputes involving the estates of Michael Jackson and Britney Spears. A source familiar with the matter told the Times that upon moving to make the change, Murdoch visited Elisabeth, and Prudence, who were both angry with him.

Murdoch, who stepped down from his chair position in 2023, has long seen eye to eye with Lachlan, sharing operating responsibilities of the companies between 2015 and 2019 before putting him in charge in 2019. James also worked with them, but left Fox Corp in 2019 and News Corp in 2020 over "disagreements over certain editorial content published by the company's news outlets." Elisabeth and Prudence have also been involved, but to a lesser degree.

The trust was formed during Murdoch's divorce from his second wife, Anna Mann, in 1999. He went on to marry Wendi Deng and have two more children, who have shares in the trust equity, but no voting rights. Should the change be finalized, Lachlan would be able to override the votes of his siblings.