The ‘Troublesome’ Rift That Could Rip Rupert Murdoch Empire Apart

Rupert Murdoch‘s children cannot agree on the future ownership of his vast media empire, newly released court documents show.

An order from a probate court in Reno, Nevada, shows that Murdoch was concerned about the “lack of consensus” among his children. He now wants to put his son, Lachlan, in complete control—to the disagreement of his other children.

The order shows that Murdoch feared his more liberal children will change the conservative ethos of Fox News and other Murdoch outlets and could lead to “a potential reorientation of editorial policy and content.”

In June, the Nevada probate commissioner ruled that Murdoch could amend a family trust that controls the empire if he is able to show he is acting in good faith and the change will be for the sole benefit of his heirs.

The commissioner’s 48-page decision is under seal but was obtained by The New York Times. According to the Times, the probate commissioner, who sits in court, stated in his decision that Murdoch’s intention was to “consolidate decision-making power in Lachlan’s hands and give him permanent, exclusive control” over the company.

The case also lays bare the ongoing disagreement between Lachlan and his brother, James. Documents in the case show that James was referred internally within the Fox media empire as “the troublesome beneficiary.” James has expressed concerns that some Murdoch organizations have been whipping up hate and he has sought to cool down the rhetoric.

Newsweek sought email comment on Thursday from Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch and Fox News.

The Nevada Probate Commission issued the order in Reno Probate Court, where Rupert Murdoch is fighting to give full control to Lachlan Murdoch. However, he will still have to satisfy the commissioner that his actions will be to the financial benefit of the other children.

The trust was created nearly 25 years ago, and any changes will have to be to the benefit of all beneficiaries.

According to the Times article on Wednesday, three of the siblings—James, Elisabeth and Prudence—”were caught completely off-guard by their father’s effort to rewrite what was supposed to be an inviolable trust and have united to stop him.”

“Lachlan has joined on Mr. Murdoch’s side,” it added.

Newsweek has not been able to independently verify the claim. On Thursday, Newsweek sought email comment from Prudence and Elizabeth Murdoch.

In September 2023, Rupert Murdoch announced he was stepping down from his chairman role at his two main media companies, Fox Corp. and News Corp. In the note to employees, Murdoch, then 92, wrote that Lachlan Murdoch would become the “sole chairman of both companies.”

Rupert Murdoch became chairman emeritus, or honorary chairman, of the companies.

“I am writing to let you all know that I have decided to transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus at Fox and News,” Murdoch wrote in the letter. “For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change. But the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan who will become sole Chairman of both companies.”

James Murdoch is known to be far more liberal than Lachlan. While many have speculated that Lachlan could significantly influence the future of Fox, others have pointed out that James, Elisabeth and Prudence are more liberal than their father.

James and his wife, Kathryn, donated more than $1 million to President Joe Biden‘s 2020 campaign. James has also been a donor to the Clinton Foundation. The couple has also criticized how Fox has covered the climate crisis.

“Kathryn and James’ views on climate are well-established, and their frustration with some of the News Corp and Fox coverage of the topic is also well-known,” a spokesperson for the pair said in September, when the Lachlan Murdoch takeover was announced.