US court blocks Rupert Murdoch's succession plan

A Nevada court has rejected Rupert Murdoch’s efforts to ensure his eldest son Lachlan takes sole control of the family’s powerful media empire, marking a major setback for the 93-year-old magnate. The sprawling conglomerate includes Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and major media outlets in the UK and Australia.

The dispute centered on an irrevocable trust designed to equally share authority among Murdoch’s four children—Prudence, Lachlan, James, and Elisabeth. While Prudence has largely stayed out of the family business, the other three have each vied for leadership at different points.

Fearing that the more centrist views of James and Elisabeth could shift Fox News away from its profitable conservative stance after his death, Murdoch sought to revise the trust. The proposed changes would have given Lachlan—currently leading Fox News and News Corp—exclusive control, removing his siblings' voting rights while maintaining their financial benefits.

In a decision filed over the weekend, probate commissioner Edmund J. Gorman Jr. rejected the move, calling it a “carefully orchestrated charade” to unfairly secure Lachlan’s dominance. The court determined the plan violated the trust’s intent of shared decision-making among the siblings.

“The scheme to cement Lachlan Murdoch’s leadership posthumously was an effort to tip the scales,” the ruling stated, describing the actions of Rupert and Lachlan as “bad faith.”

According to The New York Times, the case included testimony from Murdoch and his children in a closed-door hearing in September. While the ruling is not yet final and requires review by a district judge, it could lead to further legal challenges and prolong the family drama.

The trust’s intricate structure stems from agreements made with Murdoch’s second wife, Anna, who sought to safeguard her three children’s rights alongside those of his other offspring.

This latest development adds to the ongoing saga surrounding the Murdoch family, one of the most influential in global media. The empire, which has reshaped tabloid journalism and cable news, has faced criticism for fueling populist movements, including Brexit and Donald Trump’s rise.

With Lachlan’s future control now uncertain, the case highlights both the tensions within the family and the potential impact on the direction of the Murdoch media dynasty.