As Death’s Uber continues to check house numbers on his street, 93-year-old Rupert Murdoch is attempting to change his will to ensure his right-leaning son Lachlan maintains control of the conservative media empire he created, the New York Times reports. Murdoch’s efforts are being challenged in a Nevada probate court by his three other children, James, Elisabeth and Prudence, who all have more moderate political views.
The problem is, Rupert already essentially divided his estate up by establishing an irrevocable family trust almost a quarter century ago. Rupert now wants to change the terms of the irrevocable trust to give Lachlan significantly more control over the media company, saying that should the company stray from its conservative voice, it would lose its audience and value, therefore harming the trust’s beneficiaries.
Despite calling the effort to change the trust “Project Harmony” hoping to avoid future conflict, Rupert’s underhanded attempt to wrest control away from his children while confirming his business model is to cater to conservative whims ultimately led to such a bad family rift, three of his children didn’t show up for his fifth wedding last month.