Apple News In Conversation
Inside the Murdoch family’s succession drama
Mar 6, 2025
McKay Coppins, a staff writer at The Atlantic known for his deep dive into the Murdoch family saga, shares the gripping story of Rupert Murdoch's power struggle over his media empire. He walks us through the turbulent court battle sparked by Murdoch's decision to favor Lachlan over James, illuminating the fraught sibling dynamics and James's journey to reclaim his narrative. Coppins also delves into the ideological divides among the brothers during the Trump years and the emotional fallout of their estrangement, revealing a family caught in a dramatic legacy fight.
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Quick takeaways
- James Murdoch's emergence as a critical voice underscores deep familial rifts and ideological differences regarding the future of their media empire.
- Rupert Murdoch's attempts to alter the family trust favoring Lachlan have intensified conflicts among siblings, jeopardizing the legacy of their influential media conglomerate.
Deep dives
Rupert Murdoch's Media Empire and Succession
Rupert Murdoch has built an influential media empire that includes Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and various tabloids and TV stations across the globe. His control over these outlets has also positioned him as a powerful conservative figure, shaping political landscapes and influencing elections. As he approaches the end of his life at 93, his four children, Prudence, Elizabeth, Lachlan, and James, stand poised to inherit the family trust that governs this empire. However, the future of this media legacy is uncertain due to internal family conflicts, particularly stemming from Rupert's attempts to modify the trust to favor Lachlan, causing significant rifts among his children.
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