• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, Yesterday

The Murdoch family has come to an understanding of the type that we all wish we could be part of.

Lachlan Murdoch will take over the News. Corp. media empire as absolute ruler when his father Rupert who is 94, finally passes on. This is sound from Rupert’s standpoint because Lachlan is solidly conservative. 

As a consolation prize, each of the oldest siblings-- Prudence, Elisabeth James—will be equally cut into a $3.3 billion inheritance. 

The details of this arrangement are wonky in spots, but one thing is clear: the wealthy three will not have voting rights, and will not be able to contest Lachlan’s decisions. And it removes issues that were being fought over in court. 

The company faces serious problems, like the defamation lawsuit filed by the election technology Smartmatic. (Fox anted up $787.5 million to settle a similar action with Dominion Voting Systems.)

Then there is the $10 billion suit filed by President Donald Trump over a Wall Street Journal story on Trump’s alleged entry in the Jeffrey Epstein birthday book featuring an outline of a woman's body. That one may go away, given that the drawing of a female body does exist, although you may quibble whether it is really Trump’s signature at the bottom. 

Lachlan, who will be in charge until 2050, and who has been in command since 2023, will have to deal with those problems and more.  It is rumored that he would like Fox to be less tabloidy, though still conservative. 

But the numbers look good, and it is certain that Lachlan will continue focusing on digital growth and strategic acquisitions.

And Rupert? He is a giant who built his mega-empire from the ground up, but not without vocal opposition. When he acquired the Chicago Sun-Times decades ago, star columnist Mike Royko quit and went to the Chicago Tribune across the street. He thereafter referred to Murdoch as the Alien in his columns.

The news business was fun in those days. And Rupert was a major contributor. 

Politics and family squabbles aside, we hope old Rupert makes it to at least 100.