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1440 Daily Digest

Succession Battle Begins

The trial over the future of the Murdoch empire begins today in Reno, Nevada. Details of the conflict—which draws parallels to the hit HBO series "Succession"—will remain confidential after a judge ruled last week to keep case filings sealed.


At the heart of the court battle is 93-year-old Rupert Murdoch's succession plan for News Corp. and Fox Corp., media outlets collectively valued at over $32B. Murdoch owns a roughly 40% stake in each company, with each of his four children set to inherit an equal share. Last year, however, Murdoch petitioned to amend the family trust to allocate all voting rights to his eldest son and current Fox Corp. CEO, 53-year-old Lachlan Murdoch. 


The Murdochs have donated millions of dollars to conservative causes, while Lachlan's siblings—including brother James—have donated to Democratic groups. Editorial differences surrounding the direction of Murdoch's conservative-leaning news empire (see list of outlets) are believed to have driven the conflict.

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