Lachlan Murdoch Secures Control Over $42bn Murdoch Media Empire

Rupert Murdoch, at 94, has finalized a family settlement that designates his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, as the uncontested heir to the vast Murdoch media empire, encompassing influential outlets such as Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post. The agreement involved a $3.3 billion buyout of Lachlan's siblings—Prudence, Elisabeth, and James—who relinquished their voting rights, thereby ending years of internal family disputes and ensuring Lachlan's control of News Corp and Fox Corporation until at least 2050. Lachlan, regarded as the most conservative Murdoch sibling, is expected to continue the empire's strong conservative editorial stance, a dynamic closely tied to President Donald Trump's administration, which regularly features on Fox News. The settlement reflects Rupert Murdoch's preference for maintaining the empire's conservative identity through Lachlan, especially following James Murdoch's departure after criticizing Fox News' political coverage. Despite the consolidation, differing editorial approaches persist within the empire, exemplified by The Wall Street Journal's investigative reporting on Trump contrasting with Fox News' prime-time narratives. This transition marks a significant moment in the media landscape, solidifying Lachlan's position as a powerful media mogul for decades to come.