Succession Wars: Inside the Murdoch family's battle for power and control at Fox News

With great power comes great responsibility, but behind it lies a struggle for power and control. It's a story as old as time itself, played out everywhere from Shakespeare's King Lear to the HBO series Succession.

In the glittering world of the super-rich, family feuds aren't just about who gets Grandma's china or Dad's vintage car collection. They're high-stakes battles for control of vast empires, played out in boardrooms and courtrooms. But as we watch fictional families squabble over empires and egos, a real-life drama unfolds.

The Murdoch family, one of the most powerful media dynasties in the world, is currently engaged in a bitter battle for control of its media empire. It's not just about money; it's also about the future of Fox News and the direction of the family's legacy.

Let’s look at how it all began and where the family stands today in terms of succession planning.

From newspaper boy to media mogul

The story of Keith Rupert Murdoch reads like a classic rags-to-riches story, the kind that would make for a great Netflix series. The Australian-born man inherited a small newspaper in Adelaide at the age of 22.

With a mix of keen business acumen and a knack for what sells, Murdoch, now 93, transformed that single newspaper into a global media powerhouse. News Corp, Fox News and the Wall Street Journal are just a few jewels in Murdoch's crown.

But as he grows older, the question of who will control this empire after him becomes a source of tension and division within the family.

A family at war

At the centre of the feud within the Murdoch family is a trust established in 1999 to divide voting rights equally among Rupert's four eldest children: Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence.

This arrangement was designed to ensure that each child had an equal say in the future of the family business. However, things took a sharp turn in 2023 when Rupert Murdoch announced his desire to amend the trust to give Lachlan more control.

Murdoch children

Lachlan, the golden boy, has been groomed for leadership since he was a teenager. He's cut from the same cloth as his father – conservative, business-minded and fully committed to keeping Fox News on track.

James, on the other hand, is the rebel of the family. He leans liberal and has openly expressed his disagreements with Fox News' editorial stance. In 2020, he didn't just leave the family business – he slammed the door, criticizing Fox's climate change coverage and political bias.

Often overlooked in the media hype, Elisabeth is a successful businesswoman in her own right. She has carved out a niche for herself in the entertainment industry and tends to stay out of the political fray.

And then there is Prudence, the oldest and often the quietest. She is less involved in the day-to-day operations, but still has an interest in the outcome.

Roots of the conflict

The Murdoch family feud revolves around differences of opinion over political ideology, business strategy and legacy.

Rupert and Lachlan lean strongly to the right, particularly when it comes to Fox News' role in conservative politics, while James, Elisabeth and Prudence are more centrist and may aim to steer the company in a moderate direction.

Climate change is a central point of contention, with James openly criticising Fox News' reporting, which he considers irresponsible, while Rupert remains skeptical about the crisis.

The rise of digital media and streaming services adds another layer of complexity – Lachlan is in favor of maintaining Fox News' current course, while his siblings may argue for diversification or a change in tone to adapt to the changing media landscape.

Battle for Fox News

Fox News was founded in 1996 by Rupert Murdoch and has become a cornerstone of the conservative media landscape in the USA. The channel has played a key role in shaping the political discourse, particularly during Donald Trump's presidency.

However, the network has faced numerous controversies. According to various media reports, it recently settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787 million over false election claims.

Lawsuit documents show that both Rupert and Lachlan knew about the falsehoods being spread on Fox News but did little to stop them, media reports said.

Instead, they focused on content that would appeal to their conservative audience. This has only intensified the debate over the future direction of Fox News. Lachlan wants to stay on the current course, while his siblings prefer a more balanced approach.

The court case in Reno

Since September 2024, the Murdoch family has been embroiled in a legal battle in Reno, Nevada. Rupert Murdoch is trying to amend the 1999 trust to give Lachlan more control, arguing that this would prevent protracted family disputes and ensure the stability of the company.

His other children, however, consider this to be unfair and damaging to the future of the company.

The case is being overseen by estate administrator Edmund Gorman and the decision will have far-reaching consequences for both the Murdoch family and the media empire it controls.

The trust was originally designed to be “irrevocable,” meaning any changes must be proven to benefit all heirs involved. If Rupert succeeds, Lachlan would have a much greater say in the future of Fox News and News Corp., potentially ensuring a conservative bias for years to come.

The outcome of this family feud could change the future of political media. If Lachlan wins, Fox News could move even further to the right and cement its influence over conservative politics in the United States.

If the other siblings manage to gain more control, Fox News could take a more moderate stance and thereby potentially change its role in the media landscape.