Yesterday, Rupert Murdoch announced that he was stepping down as chairman of Fox and News Corp and taking up an “emeritus chairman” position, leaving his son Lachlan to run the business. The media world is still reeling from the news – Murdoch’s fans and enemies alike consider him immortal, and it’s difficult to know what the conservative media landscape will look like without Murdoch. In a letter to Fox and News Corp employees, Murdoch wrote that he and his companies are “in robust health,” but:
“The battle for freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought, has never been more intense…Self-serving bureaucracies are seeking to silence those who would question their provenance and purpose. Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class. Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth.”
The stones of this Oxford-educated media elite to lecture anyone on peddling false narrative or silencing enemies, my god. Speaking of, Fox News insiders are still trying to figure out why Rupert would step down now. Those insiders spoke to Gabe Sherman (who has long been on the Murdoch beat) at Vanity Fair. Some highlights:
One theory is about Murdoch’s failure to disclose health issues: One is that Murdoch, who turns 93 in March, had an unreported health crisis, which could be considered a material event for a publicly traded company. Murdoch’s memo shot down this line of speculation. “Our companies are in robust health, as am I,” he wrote. But my May Vanity Fair cover story reported that Murdoch had been secretly hospitalized in recent years for a broken back, seizures, two bouts of pneumonia, atrial fibrillation, a torn Achilles tendon, and COVID-19. Murdoch wanted these incidents out of the press. According to a source close to Murdoch, he used the pseudonym “Mr. Black” when being admitted to a hospital in order to avoid the media. So, given this history of hiding health scares, it’s entirely possible that illness forced Murdoch into retirement.
The other huge lawsuit facing Fox News: The second theory is that Murdoch’s retirement is related to Smartmatic’s $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News. Smartmatic is suing Fox over the network’s false claims that its voting machines were used to steal the 2020 election from Donald Trump. Sources speculated that Murdoch is retiring to avoid having to testify in the Smartmatic proceedings. “This takes him out of the line of fire,” a prominent media executive said.
The Dominion Voting Systems settlement: In April, I reported that Fox settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million on the eve of the trial at least in part because Fox lawyers didn’t want Murdoch to testify in open court. “They were hoping and praying to settle for months, but they didn’t want to pay up,” a source told me. The source said the lawyers told Fox execs that once the trial began, Murdoch would be “disgraced on the stand, run out of the boardroom, and his testimony [would] expose him as a lunatic sliding into senility.” (A person close to Murdoch disputed this: “Rupert was very well prepared to testify.”) On Wednesday, Fox lawyers made it clear they don’t want Murdoch to testify in the Smartmatic case, asking a New York State judge to dismiss Fox Corp. from the suit because Murdoch wasn’t involved in day-to-day editorial decisions.”
Maybe Murdoch is trying to get ahead of something: Another theory is that the company is facing some unknown scandal. “They are trying to get ahead of something,” a person close to the Murdochs told me.
Lachlan will run Fox from Australia?? One thing is certain: Murdoch’s formal retirement will deepen Fox’s leadership void. The company will be solely run by Lachlan, who lives in Sydney, and is seen by many to be less engaged than his father. “Lachlan goes to the rock climbing gym every day. I think he has kind of lost interest since James left, but he is still trying to impress his dad,” a person close to Lachlan told me for my May cover story. Lachlan has largely relied on Viet Dinh, Fox’s chief legal officer, to run the company day-to-day from Los Angeles. But it was announced in August that Dinh will be stepping down at the end of the year, seemingly in part over his handling of Fox’s Dominion defense strategy. How Lachlan handles the pressures of being the new king will determine the future of a media empire that shapes conservative politics on three continents.
“I think he has kind of lost interest since James left, but he is still trying to impress his dad” – play the Succession theme again!! No, but really, I am curious about what’s going on here. Dealer’s choice: Rupert is too senile to testify; Rupert would incriminate himself and Fox if he testified; Rupert hasn’t disclosed some unknown illness; Rupert is trying to get ahead of some scandal. My guess is that it’s at least two of these things put together. Will Murdoch’s empire be more or less dangerous with a leadership void?
Photos courtesy of Cover Images.
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- April 21, 2015: Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch arriving at the 2015 Time 100 Gala Celebrating the most influential people in the world, held at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com Ref: infusny-142 Featuring: Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch Where: New York, New York, United States When: 21 Apr 2015 Credit: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com
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- , Los Angeles, CA -20190224 Celebrities pose for pictures as they arrive at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. -PICTURED: Rupert Murdoch -PHOTO by: Milla Cochran/startraksphoto.com This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Startraks Photo for licensing fee and rights information at sales@startraksphoto.com or call +1 212 414 9464 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded Featuring: Rupert Murdoch Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 24 Feb 2019 Credit: Milla Cochran/startraksphoto.com
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- -Los Angeles, CA -20190224 Vanity Fair 2019 Oscar Party. -PICTURED: Lachlan Murdoch, Sarah Murdoch -PHOTO by: Milla Cochran/startraksphoto.com. Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Startraks Photo for licensing fee and rights information at sales@startraksphoto.com or call +1 212 414 9464 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing Featuring: Lachlan Murdoch, Sarah Murdoch Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 24 Feb 2019 Credit: Milla Cochran/startraksphoto.com.
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- , New York, NY – 20191119 Celebrities pose for pictures as they arrive at the Citymeals on Wheels 33rd annual power lunch for women. -PICTURED: Rupert Murdoch -PHOTO by: Kristin Callahan/ACE Pictures/INSTARimages.com -111919_Citymeals_K014 Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing Featuring: Rupert Murdoch Where: New York, New York, United States When: 19 Nov 2019 Credit: Kristin Callahan/ACE Pictures/INSTARimages.com
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- Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch annual party at Spencer House, St James’ Place. Featuring: Rupert Murdoch Where: London, United Kingdom When: 22 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch annual party at Spencer House, St James’ Place. Featuring: Rupert Murdoch Where: London, United Kingdom When: 22 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Rupert not heading Fox currently doesn’t shield him from testifying. What kind of nonsense, faux legalese is this bs from these sources?
Yes, Murdoch was and is ill and there is probably a lawsuit brewing about that. And yes, Succession ended way too early, because this story is JUST about to get interesting, since the dumb and lazy one is about to take the wheel. Listen up, British Royals! This is how your future is about to play out….
My thoughts exactly. There are only a few ways to get Murdoch NOT to testify: his death, the suit gets dismissed, or they settle before trial. Can’t count on #1, #2 isn’t as likely, so they should probably settle.
As I read that, I was like WTH??? He cannot get out of testifying. What a load of BS.
I’m currently binging the British Scandal podcast and I swear Rupert Murdoch is the boogey man who pops up in almost every story across 20+ seasons Lollllllll
Lachlan lives in Australia? Didn’t he buy some MASSIVE Los Angeles home a few years ago?
Guess $150M vacation homes are the norm for the super rich. Smmfh.
Lachlan is more right wing than his father. He may be somewhat checked out, but he is a psycho. Viet Dinh is also a psycho and I’m not convinced his ouster will stick.
Apparently, the News Corp empire is having financial difficulties.
I saw an excellent commentary by Lawrance O’Donnell. And just when I thought I could not be repulsed any further my Rupert, I was mistaken.
And at 92, with that kind of money go sit on a beach somewhere or go to a poverty stricken area and give to the people and kids to give some joy and happiness. But he chooses THIS. His soul is void and empty like a dark abyss.
I love Lawrence! I’ve stopped watching cable news for my mental and physical health: Was this on his show? And do you remember the date?
Thank you!
Would love to see it all crumble to the ground while Rupert is still alive to witness it.
THIS. There would be few things sweeter than that and all the Magas rotting in prison where they belong.
Yes to all of this! Let it all come crumbling down-Murdoch, Trump, and their billionaire ilk-well, Trump is broke except for the MAGA cult who now funds him but you know what I mean.
Me too! When I first read the news, I thought, “great! Hopefully this is the beginning of the end.”
I worry about him doing more damage before any empire will crumble. Whoever wrote above that Lachlan is way more conservative than his dad is right. He’s rumored to be way worse than Rupert, if anyone can fathom.
Agreed—and crumble on top of them all.
Rupert Murdoch has done so much damage to the US. I hope his retirement, and his time in hell, is miserable.
E-excelle-e-ent . Mr. Burns might be stepping down, but there is no way he is letting go.
With all the damage Murdoch has done in this world, with all the Fox scandals that have already been exposed, what scandal is even left that could actually damage them? The lawsuits are having a nice effect but that’s not the same thing as a business ending scandal.
It would be juicy. It would be a nice payback for those of us who have had to watch loved ones slip into the Fox void and lose themselves.
On a completely superficial note, I LOVE Lachlan’s (?) wife’s dress (& makeup)! I would LOVE to wear something like that before I die, only in a different color combo & a less-poufy-more-flowy skirt. On my screen it looks shades of brown & cream, but I’d love it in a deep raspberry or purple, or maybe a beautiful turquoise/teal with the appropriate lighter contrasting colors. And her makeup is so subtle & glowy. I can’t stop staring at that photo! Anyone have an ID on the dress? Like I’d ever be able to afford it, but a woman can dream!
As for the rest, I’ve got my popcorn ready! A Murdoch implosion would be amazing to watch—& great for humankind.
I read that the FCC is going after Fox’s broadcasting license because of the 2020 election lies. If that happened, all of the local Fox News affiliates would essentially cease to exist. Add that reason to pile.
OOOOOH. Fingers crossed!
Could it be that between the Dominion settlement and the new suit, there may be a shareholder suit pending? I think I read about that a while ago.
Lucky, I hope you’re right about the FCC. I know after the Dominion Settlement and all of the text messages became public, there were a lot of people telling people to write/email the FCC and ask them to pull their license. I have no idea if this in response, but I really hope that they are looking at it with all of the evidence out there.
Also, VoteVets is playing ads on military bases regarding the lies that were told and they’re trying to get the Pentagon to ban it from military bases. I can’t even imagine the harm that Fox does there.
It’s a nice thought but FCC is such a lame duck. They wouldn’t dare make that kind of move against Fox News.
When it was posted about Murdoch “retiring” I figured something was about to drop and he trying to separate himself from it. He doesn’t want to go down with the ship .
Yep–sounds like he’s getting himself out of the line of fire on the surface. I’m convinced he’ll still have a lot of say in matters–guys like would run their empires from hell if they could. 🤮
I hope he is not senile or having major health issues… would love for him to be lucid to see his empire collapse. But then again that evil man is 93 years old. His son is not any better.
Here is my silly little two cents. Has anyone else seen that Putin is going under. China is having financial problems that can’t be fixed by force. Trump is being tried. Even in Texas Paxton is being called out. Hopefully Abbott is next. The republican party is in total shambles. And Jan. 6th rioters are all going to jail. Rupert knows that the tide is changing. And a time of progressives is starting. It happens this way all the time. Look at the 50’s to 60’s. The baby boomers are starting to die off and the next group is taking control. Ruperts just getting out before they come after him.
@Robertphillips, from your mouth…. 🤞🏼
Robert Phillips, I’m taking umbrage with you lumping the baby boomers in one group. I believe you’ll find there are more NOT in that group than are. We are the people who kept trying to tell the younger generations that they needed to keep an eye on Roe, because it could be taken away. Guess what? No one listened.
There is a huge baby boomer contingent who will be supporting and protesting with ALL of the groups out there that are being otherized and denigrated by the right. We’re a big group. Don’t discount us.
Yes, yes, ‘not all boomers.’
@Robert Phillips — Don’t blame this on boomers. Don’t forget we’re the generation that protested the Viet Nam war. Don’t forget we protested and marched for civil rights. Don’t forget we were the first to stand up for gay rights. Don’t forget we helped bring down the Berlin wall. Some things boomers invented — the Jarvik artificial heart; DNA fingerprinting; the cell phone; Viagra; defibrillators; synthetic skin for burn victims; seat belts; rock ‘n’ roll — the list goes on.
Signed: A Boomer
Exactly. Also, let’s not forget that a larger percentage of boomers at least show up to vote. Most democrat election loses is because the younger generations didn’t show up to vote in large enough numbers.
@Robert Phillips–the boomers you have issue with are ones who were _never_ progressive. They supported guys like Nixon (and one could easily call them Nixon Youth). Can we please drop this stupid-ass myth?
Insightful piece, to say the least…..
I remember faintly the program that PBS did before Murdoch was eventually granted US
citizenship, a prerequisite to media ownership, the unforeseen fears and doubts about him have been proven right….
Would history be kind to what this man has wrought on
especially the Australian and Us democracies??
Time will tell….
Rupert Murdoch has been accused of doing “enormous damage to the democratic world” by a former Australian prime minister, as senior political figures in his country of birth greet news of the mogul stepping down as chair of his media empire with scepticism.
Malcolm Turnbull, a former Liberal prime minister and advocate for a royal commission into the Murdoch media empire, said the media mogul had created an “anger-tainment ecosystem” that had left the US “angrier and more divided than it’s been at any time since the civil war”.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/sep/22/former-australian-pm-malcolm-turnbull-comments-rupert-murdoch – The Guardian
PM Turnbull has since included world democracies, instead of just the two….
Since all of the information came out in the Dominion lawsuit, I am convinced that he and lots of people at Fox should be charged with helping foment sedition. I wish, but I doubt we would be so lucky.
I find it interesting that so many of the far right billionaires are turning against Trump. Do you suppose it finally occurred to them that if the far right gets it’s way they will lose money. The US will not have a thriving economy and they will lose world standing–just like the UK. They created this mess.
They were cool with Trump because they thought he could cement the oligarchy they’ve been working to install for decades. The right-wing was a tool to that end. Then they would have run everything–the economy especially. And Trump came unnervingly close. But, in the immortal words of many a super villain, he has failed them, so it’s down the trap door and off the Jet Of Evil for him. 😂
Don’t forget the 5 New York City pension funds that filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit against Fox Corp, that will be in the many billions of dollars. Fox is going down and the big rat is leaving the sinking ship. There’s a special place in hell waiting for him.
May he not RIP.
I wonder if a scandal about to break has anything to do with Danny the perv on GB news, there’s some reason that pig is being protected and highly over paid.