Lachlan Murdoch Secures Full Control of Murdoch Empire After $1.1B Sibling Deal
As a passionate rock climber, Lachlan Murdoch understands the art of holding on to dangerous ground. And now, after the steepest climb of his life — rising to the summit of his father’s media empire — he has finally secured his grip on the family crown.
The decisive breakthrough came through a deal with his siblings Prudence, Elisabeth, and James Murdoch, who agreed to give up their shares in exchange for an estimated $1.1 billion (£800m) payout each. The agreement ensures Lachlan’s long-term control over the empire that both he and Rupert Murdoch fought to protect.
While the settlement may feel like an anticlimactic end to a toxic family drama that has captivated the world — and even inspired a hit television series — it is, in fact, a victory for Lachlan’s siblings. The trio secured far more money than earlier offers after winning a landmark court battle. That case had exposed “Project Family Harmony,” Rupert and Lachlan’s controversial plan to sideline the others from the Murdoch family trust controlling Fox Corporation and News Corp.
When the court documents leaked, the world got a front-row seat to the Murdochs’ simmering resentments, making it one of the most explosive chapters in the dynasty’s history.
What the Deal Really Means
For Lachlan Murdoch, the outcome is clear: the empire — most importantly, Fox News, the family’s cash cow — remains under the leadership of someone fiercely committed to its conservative identity. That means any hopes of Fox softening its pro-Trump stance are officially dead.
Though insiders insist that James Murdoch and his sisters were unlikely to radically overhaul Fox, the mere possibility of them tempering its extremes has now vanished. Rupert Murdoch finally achieved what he always wanted: passing the reins to his son who mirrors his own political vision.
As Rupert once wrote to ex-wife Anna Murdoch, the mother of Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James:
“Would love nothing more than peace all around. But the fact remains Lachlan is the best to run the business – greatly respected inside and outside!”
The Heir Who Embraces the Fight
Lachlan Murdoch has long admired his father’s empire-building feats. Like Rupert, he speaks with passion about newspapers, from the Wall Street Journal to The Times, The Sun, and The Australian. He also tries to project the same combative, dealmaking spirit, often describing News Corp at its strongest when it played the scrappy underdog.
Meanwhile, his siblings will add their $1.1 billion payouts to the fortunes they’ve already inherited, giving them even more independent financial power.
The bitter courtroom battles and their fallout ultimately created the pressure needed for this deal to happen. And at the end of it all, Lachlan emerges as a dominant force, not only in global media but also in the political arena of the West.
Lachlan’s New Balancing Act
The timing is critical. Fox News finds itself in a delicate position as the second Trump administration barrels through its first year. Trump has been both a boon for business and a source of tension for the network, with Fox acting as the megaphone of the MAGA movement.
But pressures are mounting. Pro-MAGA media outlets on YouTube and beyond are challenging Fox’s dominance. At the same time, some Trump allies are demanding the release of documents linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Fox’s coverage so far has shielded Trump, but the growing alternative media ecosystem threatens to fracture that relationship.
Ironically, Rupert once allowed outlets like the Wall Street Journal to publish harsh stories on Trump — including a report that he wrote a crude poem and doodle for Epstein’s 50th birthday. Trump sued, but the piece has since resurfaced publicly.
Now, Lachlan Murdoch inherits not just the business, but also the political battles that come with it. His father relished the challenge. For Lachlan, the question is whether he can climb — and hold — the same treacherous terrain.