The irrevocable trust equally divides control among 93-year-old Rupert Murdoch’s four eldest children—Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence—upon his death|World Economic Forum|CC BY-SA 2.0
A Nevada commissioner ruled against media tycoon Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to amend his family trust and secure son Lachlan’s control over Fox News and its conservative slant.
Commissioner Edmund J. Gorman Jr. criticized the move as being in “bad faith” and as a “carefully crafted charade” to cement Lachlan’s leadership.
The ruling criticized their actions as dishonest and self-serving. Lachlan and Rupert’s team intends to appeal, but tensions remain high as family divisions deepen.
The irrevocable trust equally divides control among 93-year-old Murdoch’s four eldest children—Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence—upon his death.
Lachlan and Rupert sought to marginalize James, Elisabeth, and Prudence, fearing they might shift the company’s direction. Evidence showed secret planning, with the effort labeled “Project Family Harmony”.
The trust arrangement, created in 2006, originally aimed to ensure fairness, but the recent legal battle highlights growing challenges in preserving Murdoch’s conservative legacy while addressing his heirs’ diverse priorities.