Rupert Murdoch's plan to hand Fox News to Lachlan fails spectacularly
- Rupert Murdoch's bid to alter his family's trust was ruled against by a Nevada commissioner.
- The commissioner noted that the attempt was done in 'bad faith' to favor Lachlan Murdoch.
- The ruling is welcomed by Rupert's other children, who hope to improve family relations.
In Reno, Nevada, Rupert Murdoch's effort to amend his family's irrevocable trust has been rejected by a probate commissioner. The ruling, delivered by Nevada Probate Commissioner Edmund J. Gorman Jr., concluded that Murdoch and his son Lachlan acted in 'bad faith' in their attempt to change the trust arrangement that divides control of his media empire among four children: Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. Murdoch, 93, argued that modifying the trust was necessary to preserve the commercial value of his businesses and maintain the conservative editorial slant of Fox News, especially given that James and Elisabeth have more liberal political views. The decision emphasized that the proposal to change the trust was a 'carefully crafted charade' designed to secure Lachlan Murdoch's executive control indefinitely. Following the ruling, Rupert and Lachlan expressed disappointment and stated their intentions to appeal. Meanwhile, Prudence, Elisabeth, and James welcomed the decision, hoping it would lead to improved family relations and a resolution of ongoing litigations. Commissioner Gorman's opinion painted a clear picture of the complexities involved in the case, reflecting the underlying tensions within the Murdoch family regarding the future direction of Fox News and the overall media empire.