RENO, Nev. (AP) — In a significant ruling, a probate commissioner in Nevada has denied Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to modify his family trust so that one of his sons could take control of his vast media empire and ensure that Fox News continues its conservative editorial stance. This decision was revealed in a sealed document that The New York Times acquired.
On Saturday, Nevada Probate Commissioner Edmund J. Gorman Jr. determined that Rupert Murdoch, 93, and his son, Lachlan Murdoch, had acted in “bad faith” while trying to change the irrevocable trust that governs the family’s business affairs. This trust stipulates that control of the media conglomerate would be shared equally among four of Murdoch’s children—Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James—after his passing.
Rupert Murdoch has asserted that altering the trust is necessary to maintain the commercial viability of his businesses for all heirs, particularly to ensure that Lachlan keeps Fox News operating with its conservative editorial alignment. This is particularly relevant given that James and Elisabeth Murdoch hold political views that diverge from those of their father and brother, complicating the future of Fox News’ direction.
In his comprehensive 96-page opinion, Commissioner Gorman criticized the proposed trust amendment as a “carefully crafted charade.” He argued that the plan aimed to “permanently cement Lachlan Murdoch’s executive roles” within the family business, regardless of the ramifications for the companies involved or their beneficiaries.
Adam Streisand, representing Rupert Murdoch, expressed disappointment regarding the ruling and mentioned plans to appeal the decision. In contrast, a spokesperson for Prudence, Elisabeth, and James Murdoch welcomed the ruling via an email to The Associated Press, expressing hope that the family could move past this legal battle and focus on rebuilding their relationships.
Commissioner Gorman concluded starkly, stating that the attempt was a strategy to favor Lachlan Murdoch in the succession process once Rupert passes away. He compared the evidentiary hearing to a poker game where “gamesmanship collides with the facts,” illustrating that once the truth is revealed, all pretenses would be stripped away. He affirmed, “The court, after considering the facts of this case in light of the law, sees the cards for what they are and concludes this raw deal will not, over the signature of this probate commissioner, prevail.”
Lachlan Murdoch has served as the head of Fox News and News Corp since late last year when his father stepped down. This recent ruling marks a critical moment in the family dynamics surrounding one of the world’s largest media empires.
