The Murdoch family’s bitter power struggle comes to light as James Murdoch opens up about his relationship with his father, Rupert, and the sidelining of his sisters in the succession plan for News Corp.
The recent court trial over the succession of News Corp, the global media empire founded by Rupert Murdoch, has shed new light on the bitter power struggles within the family. James Murdoch, Rupert‘s second-oldest son, has spoken out about his relationship with his father and the sidelining of his sisters, Prudence and Elisabeth, in the succession plan.
The Family Rifts
According to an interview with the Atlantic‘s McKay Coppins, James revealed that his family was in a ‘private meltdown’ when he began speaking with him. The court battle, dubbed ‘Project Family Harmony,’ saw Rupert inform James and his sisters that Lachlan would inherit the majority of the empire upon his death. However, this plan was rejected by the courts, leaving the future of News Corp uncertain.
A family rift occurs when there is a significant emotional distance between family members, often due to disagreements, misunderstandings, or unaddressed conflicts.
According to research, approximately 70% of adults experience a family rift at some point in their lives.
These rifts can be caused by various factors, including differences in values, lifestyle choices, or generational gaps.
Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are essential for healing and repairing family relationships.
The Accusations
James has accused his father of being a ‘misogynist‘ and has expressed discomfort with News Corp‘s reporting on climate change, its support for right-wing conspiracy theories, and its coverage of ‘Donald Trump‘. The interview also details James’ unease with the company’s handling of Brexit and Charlottesville.
James Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-born British-American media executive.
He served as the Chairman of Sky and 21st Century Fox, and was the former Deputy Chief Operating Officer of News Corp.
Born on December 13, 1972, in London, he is the eldest son of media mogul 'Rupert Murdoch' and his second wife 'Anna Murdoch Mann'.
James holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA from INSEAD.
The Handwritten Note
A handwritten note from Rupert to James, delivered along with legal documents, read: ‘Dear James, still time to talk? Love, Dad. P.S.: Love to see my grandchildren one day.‘ However, James did not bother to reply, highlighting the strained relationship between them.
The Court Battle
During the court trial, Rupert‘s lawyer put James through a series of ‘withering questions,’ including asking if he had ever done anything successful on his own. James realized that his father was texting the questions to the lawyer and described it as ‘fucking twisted.‘
Rupert Murdoch is a media mogul and businessman born on March 11, 1931.
He is the founder of News Corp and has been involved in various high-profile acquisitions and controversies throughout his career.
Murdoch's media empire includes The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and Sky News, among others.
He has been married three times and has six children.
In 2018, he stepped down as chairman of News Corp due to a scandal surrounding the phone hacking of celebrities' voicemails at one of his newspapers.
A Family Divided
After the trial, James and his sisters wrote a letter to their father, expressing their love and desire for reconciliation. However, Rupert‘s response was to tell them to contact his lawyers if they wanted to talk to him. A spokesperson for Rupert and Lachlan described James’ claims as ‘a litany of falsehoods’ from someone who no longer works for the companies but still benefits financially.
The Future of News Corp
The trust that would have governed the succession of News Corp will expire in 2030, leaving the siblings to decide what to do next. James is now grappling with the question: ‘How did we let it come to this?’ His father’s passing will undoubtedly leave behind a family at war with itself.
