Lachlan Murdoch is the eldest son of Rupert Murdoch and, following a 2025 family settlement, holds sole voting control over the family's media empire, including Fox Corporation and News Corp. He has served as CEO of Fox and chair of News Corp since his father stepped back from day-to-day operations in 2023.
In September 2025 the long-running family dispute over the Murdoch Family Trust was resolved through a new trust structure giving Lachlan sole voting control of about 36% of Fox's Class B stock and 33% of News Corp's Class B shares, while his siblings James, Elisabeth, and Prudence were bought out for roughly $1.1 billion each.
Through Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, and a global network of outlets, Lachlan now commands one of the most influential conservative-leaning media platforms in the English-speaking world.
What they control
- Sole voting control of Fox Corporation (including Fox News)
- Chairmanship and voting control of News Corp (including the Wall Street Journal)
- The restructured Murdoch Family Trust holding the controlling stakes
- Editorial direction across a global conservative-leaning media network
- Major broadcast, cable, and publishing distribution
Key institutions & holdings
Includes Fox News; Lachlan holds voting control.
Includes the Wall Street Journal and global publishing assets.
New trust expires in 2050; holds the family's controlling stakes.
Key facts
- Gained sole voting control of the family media empire via a September 2025 settlement.
- CEO of Fox and chair of News Corp since 2023.
- The new trust holds about 36% of Fox Class B and 33% of News Corp Class B stock.
- Siblings James, Elisabeth, and Prudence each received about $1.1 billion in the deal.
- The new family trust is set to expire in 2050.
Timeline
- 2023Becomes CEO of Fox and chair of News Corp as Rupert steps back.
- 2024-12A Nevada probate court rejects Rupert and Lachlan's bid to amend the trust.
- 2025-09Family settlement gives Lachlan sole voting control of Fox and News Corp.
Controversies
Fox News and the Dominion settlement · 2023
Under Lachlan's leadership, Fox paid a roughly $787.5 million settlement to Dominion Voting Systems in 2023 over false 2020 election claims aired on Fox News.
Concentration of narrative power · 2023-2026
Sole control over Fox News and major newspapers concentrates enormous influence over political discourse in one family heir.
Network
- Rupert MurdochFather / predecessorBuilt the empire and handed Lachlan control.
- James MurdochEstranged siblingBought out in the 2025 settlement after years of conflict.
Why this matters
Control of a leading cable news network and major newspapers gives one person extraordinary power to shape what tens of millions of citizens believe about elections, government, and each other -- influence that operates largely outside democratic accountability.