Lachlan Murdoch, the son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, will continue to lead the family’s media empire, Fox Corp and News Corp, amid speculation of a potential power struggle with his siblings. This stability follows a recent legal resolution concerning the Murdoch family trust, announced by both companies.
The existing trust structure is being overhauled, effectively preventing Rupert Murdoch’s other children—Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch, and James Murdoch—from significantly influencing the businesses after their father’s passing. This change removes any powerful voting rights they might have had, reducing the probability of a challenge against Lachlan, who has been entrusted with the leadership role of both companies.
James Murdoch has expressed concerns over the right-wing programming of Fox News and other facets of the family business. Given his unease with the current media direction, observers have often speculated whether he might attempt a takeover to reverse course. However, the recent legal adjustments appear to diminish that possibility.
Under the new arrangement, Lachlan will retain control along with his younger sisters, Grace and Chloe, who will hold stakes in a fresh trust with decisive power over both Fox and News Corp. This shift comes in light of Rupert Murdoch’s intention to adapt the original family trust to ensure Lachlan’s leadership for years ahead, which resulted in a secret court case in Nevada.
Earlier court decisions had not favoured Rupert Murdoch, leading to negotiations that culminated in the agreed resolution of the legal matters, as confirmed by the corporate filings detailing the conclusion of all litigation.
With Lachlan firmly at the helm, the trajectory of the Murdoch media empire seems set in a conservative direction, aligning with Rupert Murdoch’s legacy, while any dissenting voices within the family appear to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.