Rupert Murdoch is seeking an amendment to the Family Trust to put Lachlan in charge

Rupert Murdoch is facing a family battle royale as three of the 93-year-old media mogul’s four adult children fight his attempts to adjust the family trust to leave eldest son Lachlan Murdoch in charge after his death, it has emerged. a published research report. Wednesday by the New York Times.

The Times report is based in part on a 48-page decision by a Nevada probate commissioner, which was filed under seal but obtained by the newspaper. Three of Rupert Murdoch’s four adult children – Prudence, Elisabeth and James – are fighting their father’s attempts to adjust the trust. The battle has so far been played out in secret, but will now be closely watched as the probate commissioner considers the petitions from the three younger Murdochs.

According to the Times, Rupert Murdoch is motivated by a desire to ensure that Fox News, the New York Post, Wall Street Journal and other media outlets under the Fox Corp. banner. and News Corp. maintain the politically conservative perspectives they now present. for viewers and readers.

The elder Murdoch “claims in court that only by giving Lachlan the power to run the company without interference from his more politically moderate siblings can he maintain its conservative editorial bent and thus protect its commercial value for all his heirs ,” the Times reported.

The conflict began late last year when Rupert Murdoch tried to get support from his children for the amendment. The Times reported that the unnamed probate commissioner “found that Mr. Murdoch could amend the trust if he could demonstrate that he acted in good faith and solely for the benefit of his heirs.”

Representatives for Rupert Murdoch and Fox were not immediately available for comment.

More to come