‘Making trouble’: Murdoch family’s bitter feud exposed in court documents

Newly released court documents have shed light on the bitter succession battle within Rupert Murdoch's media empire, revealing tensions among the 95-year-old media mogul's four eldest children. In 2024, a Nevada judicial officer's decision exposed the "petty grievances" and alleged troublemaking behavior of Murdoch's children, particularly James Murdoch, who was portrayed as a troublemaker by his father.

The documents detail the patriarch's view of his children, including statements about the need to oust James from the business and the importance of preserving Fox and News Corp as conservative voices in the media. Murdoch expressed concern that the assets could fall into the "wrong hands" and emphasized the importance of these companies for democracies.

Conflicting accounts emerged regarding James's motivations for his actions, with one memo suggesting he intended to oust Lachlan and alter the companies' direction after his father's death. The court documents also revealed the strain on family relationships, including James's stormy departure from the News board in 2020 and his refusal to sell his stake in the business.