Murdoch Health Spurs Family Feud, Trump $10B Lawsuit

Rupert Murdoch, the 94-year-old media mogul behind Fox Corporation and News Corp, is facing a critical and contentious phase marked by declining health, a high-profile defamation lawsuit from President Donald Trump, and a fierce family succession battle. Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal centers on allegations about Trump's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, leading Trump's legal team to demand an expedited deposition due to Murdoch's multiple serious health issues, including severe COVID-19, seizures, and recent fainting. Meanwhile, internal family disputes have intensified around the Murdoch Family Trust, which currently controls voting rights in Murdoch's empire, with legal challenges to Rupert's attempt to grant sole control to his son Lachlan, a move opposed by his other children. This ongoing feud threatens to fracture the media empire, potentially leading to the sale of major assets like the Wall Street Journal and Times of London. Despite stepping back from daily operations, Murdoch remains at the center of these battles, reflecting the uncertainty over the future of his media holdings and the legacy of his five-decade career. In a separate but related development, Murdoch's News Corp plans to launch The California Post in Los Angeles, reviving a print tabloid rivalry in a largely digital media landscape.