Radio Atlantic: "Rupert Murdoch Gets His Succession Finale"

Date: September 11, 2025
Host(s): Hanna Rosin (B)
Guest: McKay Coppins (A), staff writer, The Atlantic

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the real-world succession drama of Rupert Murdoch's media empire, which inspired the HBO series Succession. With the recent resolution to the years-long family battle over control of Murdoch’s vast holdings—including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal—the show explores family dynamics, legal intrigue, corporate maneuverings, and the broader political implications of Lachlan Murdoch being named the sole heir. Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins, who reported extensively on the conflict and profiled James Murdoch, joins to break down what happened, why it matters, and what this means for the future of conservative media.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The End of a Long Family Drama

• The Succession Resolution ([03:42]–[04:47])

  • Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert’s favored son, will have full control of the media empire, securing Rupert’s long-term vision of a conservative dynasty.
  • James, Elizabeth, and Prudence (Lachlan’s siblings) are effectively bought out, each receiving $1.1 billion but no future stake or governance in the company.
  • “In some ways, it’s basically a cementing of the status quo… Lachlan, the chosen heir apparent… now firmly established as the king in waiting.” — McKay Coppins [03:51]

• Impact on Family and Business

  • Decades of internal power struggles have defined and ultimately fractured the Murdoch family.
  • The settlement brings financial closure but leaves emotional rifts: “It’s kind of the finale of a story that has really, in very serious ways, wrecked this family and for better or worse, defined this very powerful and influential media empire.” — McKay [04:53]

The Succession Battle—Players and Motives

• Who Wanted What ([07:00]–[10:07])

  • Rupert: The patriarch, determined to secure a conservative legacy.
  • Lachlan: Eldest son, closest in political ideology to Rupert; more right-wing than even his father, especially aligned with Trump-era populism.
  • James: Younger son, politically moderate/liberal, outspoken critic of Fox News and the family business; “He considered Fox News a blight on his family name, a threat to democracy. He said that their model is essentially lying to their viewers.” — McKay [15:02]
  • Elizabeth and Prudence: Sided with James in opposition to Lachlan’s ascension.

• Legal Manoeuverings and Courtroom Drama

  • Battle centered around a family trust, which Rupert sought to rewrite to give Lachlan full control.
  • The siblings’ faction (James, Elizabeth, Prudence) initially triumphed in probate court, but uncertainty and exhaustion led to a negotiated settlement.

• Influence of Public Exposure ([10:19]–[14:33])

  • McKay’s Atlantic profile of James Murdoch introduced new tensions, raising questions about whether James violated court confidentiality.
  • The resulting uncertainty about legal outcomes nudged all parties toward a deal.

  “There’s this meta level of the story where our reporting seems to have had some influence on things.” — McKay [11:28]

Political Significance and the Future of the Empire

• What Will Lachlan Do with the Empire? ([14:33]–[16:40])

  • With Lachlan in charge, the Murdoch media apparatus is expected to continue (or intensify) its alignment with right-wing populism.
  • James and his sisters are now fully out; no reform is coming from within: “We can expect… to continue on the political path they’ve been on and if anything to maybe even become more aligned with… this new populist right wing movement.” — McKay [16:29]

• Legacy Versus News Values ([20:29]–[24:09])

  • Rupert, while a skillful political operator, still respected newsmanship and would occasionally back journalistic integrity over political obligation—e.g., he stood by The Wall Street Journal against Donald Trump over the Epstein birthday note story.

    “My question is, when Rupert dies… will Lachlan have that same stomach for that kind of fight?” — McKay [23:55]

  • Lachlan appears more interested in glamour and entertainment than in day-to-day news: “He doesn’t seem to care about reporting and journalism and news the same way that his dad does.” — McKay [25:42]

Family Fallout and Estrangement

• Personal Toll on the Murdochs ([26:05]–[28:42])

  • The siblings came together in a last-ditch attempt to reconcile—writing to Rupert after the legal battle—but were rebuffed: “Rupert wrote back and just totally brushed them off… He said, ‘If you want to talk, talk to my lawyers.’”
  • The ultimate deal was brokered mostly by lawyers; family relationships remain frosty: “They are more divided bitterly than ever before.”

• Rupert’s Motivation—Why Prolong the Pain? ([28:42]–[31:15])

  • Rupert’s decisions appear rooted in a desire for personal immortality and an enduring, unmodified legacy, rather than love for his children or any higher ideal.

    “He wanted immortality. He wanted to ensure that the empire would continue to be run as if he was still there. And so he picked the successor he was most confident would do that, the one who was most eager to please him, the one who built his entire life around trying to seem like a younger version of him.” — McKay [30:02]

  • The cautionary tale: in ensuring the dynasty, Rupert has alienated three of his four children irrevocably.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[This is] the cementing of the status quo… the king in waiting.” — McKay Coppins [03:51]
• “Fox News [is] a blight on his family name, a threat to democracy.” — James Murdoch (via McKay) [15:02]
• “There’s this meta level of the story where our reporting seems to have had some influence.” — McKay [11:28]
• “Will Lachlan have that same newsman instinct that is coming into conflict with the political power player instinct, the profit-obsessed executive instinct? I don’t know. That’s a genuine open question.” — McKay [23:55]
• “They remain fairly estranged from each other, or at least some of them.” — McKay [28:25]
• “He built the family empire, he succeeded, and he lost three of his children along the way.” — McKay [31:15]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:41 | The end of the succession battle—overview of who won and what it means | | 06:25 | The family battle lines—origins and legal wranglings | | 10:19 | How reporting and legal dramas intersected | | 14:33 | McKay on Lachlan: ideology, ambitions, and future of the empire | | 18:03 | How the family business tore the Murdochs apart | | 20:29 | Rupert’s dual role: political operator vs. newsman | | 24:26 | Lachlan’s distaste for journalism, love of entertainment | | 26:12 | Are the siblings reconciled? Family relationships after the settlement | | 28:42 | Why Rupert let the drama drag on: legacy, power, and family tragedy | | 31:15 | Conclusion—what Rupert's legacy cost his family |

Tone and Style

The conversation is candid and at times darkly humorous, especially as the hosts compare real events to scenes from Succession. Both host and guest avoid melodrama but are unsparing with details, focusing on the real emotional and public consequences of the Murdochs’ choices. Listeners are urged to draw their own conclusions, in line with the podcast’s mission.

Additional Recommendation

For more depth, the episode recommends reading McKay Coppins's Atlantic feature, Growing Up Murdoch, for a more detailed exploration of the family saga.

End of Summary