The Rest Is Politics: Murdoch's Succession Battle and the Fight for Fox News

Hosts: Alastair Campbell & Rory Stewart
Episode Date: November 7, 2025

Episode Overview

In this finale of their Rupert Murdoch series, Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart analyze the high-stakes legacy battle brewing within the Murdoch empire, focusing on the complex interplay between Murdoch’s political ambitions, Fox News, and family dynamics. The discussion dives into Murdoch's regret over supporting Donald Trump, the internal Fox struggle over Trump coverage, the blowback from the Dominion lawsuit, and the looming issue of succession among his children. The hosts blend Westminster-style insight with wry humor, offering a revealing peek behind the headlines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Murdoch’s Regret and the Trump Conundrum

• Murdoch’s Initial Goals: The hosts recall that Murdoch's dream was always to help elect a US president, a goal clouded by regret after Fox News and his influence propelled Donald Trump, "a man he detests," to power.

  • Quote [01:02] Rory: "His dream was always to elect a president of the United States. And the bitter irony is that that turned out to be Donald Trump, a man he detests, who he believes is unfit and unworthy or, in brief, as he says, an asshole."

• Personal Dynamics: Murdoch's private contempt for Trump becomes public within family circles. Jerry Hall, Murdoch's (now former) spouse, repeatedly challenges him:

  • Quote [01:33] Alastair: "Jerry Hall… keeps shouting at him, saying, well, you know, you helped put him in president, so do something about it."

2. The DeSantis Gambit — A Failed Power Play

• Strategy Shift: Attempting to redeem himself, Murdoch throws Fox’s weight behind Ron DeSantis to stop Trump’s 2024 campaign, orchestrating an internal Fox blackout on Trump.

  • Quote [02:29] Rory: "Murdoch goes all in. His declared policy, Fox, is going to not only support Ron DeSantis on the air, but keep Donald Trump off the air. And it is going to be the test, the ultimate test, who's stronger, Fox or Trump. And we now know Trump won."

• Resistance and Outcome: Despite executive orders, the on-screen talent and producers favor Trump for the ratings he delivers, undermining the anti-Trump stance.

  • Quote [03:53] Rory: "To survive at Fox, you need ratings. And I'm gonna tell you, Ron DeSantis ain't gonna give you ratings compared to Donald Trump. ... Trump starts to creep back in. By… summer 2024 is back as the Fox guy, Murdoch effectively gives up."

3. The Dominion Lawsuit & Fallout for Fox Personalities

• Financial & PR Damage: Dominion’s lawsuit over Fox's 2020 election coverage cost nearly a billion dollars, inflicting both monetary and reputational wounds.

• Consequences for Anchors:

  • Hannity: Key promoter of the conspiracy, faces no career damage.

  • Tucker Carlson: Becomes a sacrificial lamb despite lesser involvement, sacked as part of a settlement’s side agreement.

    • Quote [04:45] Rory: "Hannity… pressed this Dominion conspiracy business. There are no consequences... But Tucker Carlson… the pound of flesh that they kind of agree… is that Tucker Carlson will be fired."

  • Future Impact:

    • Quote [05:42] Rory: "Very significant player and you know, a potential Republican candidate in the future."

4. Succession Strife Among Murdoch’s Children

• Legacy in Jeopardy: The script flips from united succession to full-blown family conflict, exacerbated by political allegiances.

  • Quote [06:03] Rory: "Division is putting it lightly. I mean, it's armed camps… This family falling apart, Donald Trump is at the center of this. ... who has politicized so many things that it turns out also has compromised his family's future."

• The Next Generation: All four of Murdoch’s elder children—Prue, Lachlan, James, and Elizabeth—are profiled, each with differing views and ambitions. The hosts tease an in-depth discussion of each, as well as the impact of Murdoch’s younger children from later marriages.

  • Quote [07:23] Alastair: "Let's just go through the four, the four children, the four older children, Prue, Lachlan, James and Elizabeth. Let's go through them one by one."
  • Quote [07:29] Rory: "And let's not exclude… the two, the two younger children."

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Murdoch’s ultimate irony:
  "His dream was always to elect a president… the bitter irony is that that turned out to be Donald Trump, a man he detests..." — Rory, [01:02]

• On the Fox-DeSantis strategy:
  "It is going to be the test, the ultimate test, who's stronger, Fox or Trump. And we now know Trump won." — Rory, [02:29]

• On the Dominion fallout:
  "Tucker Carlson will be fired… Carlson was probably the least implicated… but… he's the most prominent MAGA person on the network." — Rory, [04:45]

• On the fractured Murdoch family:
  "Division is putting it lightly. I mean, it's armed camps... This family falling apart, Donald Trump is at the center of this." — Rory, [06:03]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-01:02 — Introduction; Recap of Murdoch’s Trump regrets
• 01:02-02:29 — Murdoch’s personal distaste for Trump; family disputes
• 02:29-03:21 — Murdoch & Fox back DeSantis; analysis of DeSantis/Trump rivalry
• 03:21-04:34 — Fox’s editorial maneuvering post-Roger Ailes; resistance in newsroom
• 04:34-05:42 — Dominion case consequences; career impacts for Hannity & Carlson
• 05:42-06:54 — Future of Tucker Carlson; Murdoch family arguments worsen
• 06:54-07:29 — Introduces coverage of Murdoch’s children and succession questions
• 07:29 — Tease of further analysis, inviting deeper dive via the Plus membership

Tone and Approach

Campbell and Stewart blend Westminster wit with rigorous political analysis and personal intrigue. The tone is both irreverent and somber, candidly reckoning with the real-world impact of Murdoch’s choices—on politics, media, and his family dynasty. The episode’s structure favors story and cause-and-effect, ensuring clear context for listeners unfamiliar with the details.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive yet accessible account of the Murdoch succession drama, Fox News’s Trump dilemma, and the profound interplay of politics and family power at the heart of the Murdoch empire.