Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Politics

Episode: The Rise of Rupert Murdoch: Making of a Mogul (Part 1)
Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Alastair Campbell
Guest: Michael Wolff (Author & Murdoch Biographer)

Episode Overview

This special episode of The Rest Is Politics delves into the life and legacy of Rupert Murdoch, one of the most influential and controversial figures in global media, politics, and culture. Alastair Campbell is joined by renowned journalist and Murdoch biographer Michael Wolff (standing in for Rory Stewart), as they unravel Murdoch’s rise from his early days in Australia to his domination of British and American media, culminating in the real-life succession drama unfolding within his own family. The discussion explores how Murdoch’s power shaped not only news organizations but also the trajectory of politics and public discourse.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Consequence of Rupert Murdoch

• Both Campbell and Wolff underscore Murdoch's outsized significance, arguing that his influence has fundamentally changed the media landscape and, by extension, politics and culture.
• Campbell introduces Murdoch as “a very, very consequential business figure... a deeply consequential political figure... a deeply consequential cultural figure,” and suggests global politics might look very different without him.

  “I think you can make the case that we probably wouldn’t have Donald Trump as president without Rupert Murdoch.” – Alastair Campbell [02:00]

• Wolff pushes further, suggesting:

  “He is the most consequential figure of the second half of the 20th century. Certainly in terms of longevity, he holds power longer than anyone else in our time...” – Michael Wolff [02:06]

2. Media Power vs. Political Power

• The hosts debate the nature of Murdoch’s power, with Campbell distinguishing between political, media, and cultural influence, and noting Murdoch’s unique place on any "league table" of power holders.
• Wolff elaborates on Murdoch as “the power behind the power,” alluding to his behind-the-scenes influence.

  “If you think about who is a power behind the power, who is the secret power, then... at that table there is always Rupert Murdoch.” – Michael Wolff [03:21]

• The longevity and consistency of Murdoch’s influence is stressed, comparing him only to the Queen—who they agree had a very different type of power.

3. Murdoch’s Role in Populism and Conservatism

• Wolff identifies Murdoch as a key driver in the resurgence of conservatism and populism across the Western world in the post-liberal era.

  “He helps really carry [conservative populism] to, I hesitate to say victory, but possibly victory.” – Michael Wolff [04:14]

• Campbell agrees Murdoch “certainly pushes it back, that’s for sure.” [04:44]

4. The Creation of a Media Empire

• Murdoch is credited as the architect of today’s unified media empires:

  “Before Rupert Murdoch, newspapers were owned by newspaper owners, movie studios by movie studios, television networks by television networks... Murdoch, singularly Murdoch, brings it all together. All this power comes under one roof because of Rupert Murdoch.” – Michael Wolff [04:46]

• This consolidation under one figure is depicted as a unique legacy, with ramifications for journalism, politics, and society at large.

5. Personal Connection and Fleet Street Memories

• Campbell shares his own proximity to Murdoch:

  “I did actually work for two of Rupert Murdoch's papers in the 80s... When I jumped to Tony Blair from journalism in 1994... it was much more when I was working for Tony Blair and the Labour government that I got to see Murdoch very, very close up.” – Alastair Campbell [05:22]

• He alludes to the phone hacking scandal (to be covered in later episodes) and how working with Murdoch’s inner circle revealed the dynamics of power at play.

6. Writing About Murdoch – Michael Wolff’s Experience

• Wolff recounts his strategy and experience in gaining Murdoch’s trust and writing about him:
  • He pitched a book after Murdoch acquired The Wall Street Journal in 2007, to which Murdoch surprisingly agreed.
  • Wolff describes long, repetitive interview sessions, highlighting Murdoch’s relentless focus on the media world:

    “He exhausts people because his only focus is the media... what moves, what chess pieces, and he exhausts everybody.” – Michael Wolff [08:18]

  • Wolff humorously admits he might have “spent more time with him than anybody but his closest executive.” [08:18]

7. Murdoch’s Image in Popular Culture

• The hosts touch on the TV series Succession, noting its inspiration from the Murdoch family drama:

  “I guess some of our younger readers may know Murdoch because of the Brian Cox series Succession... even though Brian... says it's not necessarily the Murdoch story, you can see the Murdoch story within it.” – Alastair Campbell [08:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Murdoch’s Longevity:
  “He is a person who has held power far longer than anyone else in our time. Except the Queen, if you think she had power.”
  – Michael Wolff [03:54]

• On the Scope of Murdoch’s Influence:
  “It is Murdoch, singularly Murdoch, who brings it all together. All this power comes under one roof because of Rupert Murdoch.”
  – Michael Wolff [04:46]

• On Murdoch’s Obsession:
  “He exhausts people because his only focus is the media. Who's here, who's where, what moves, what chess pieces...”
  – Michael Wolff [08:18]

• On Succession:
  “It's a story of a media baron coming to the end of his time, and he's got these very sort of difficult, grasping children...”
  – Alastair Campbell [08:46]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:11] – Introduction to Murdoch’s power and legacy
• [02:06] – Debate on Murdoch’s influence in Western politics, Trump, and the media landscape
• [03:21] – Discussion of “the power behind the power” and conspiracy perceptions
• [04:14] – Murdoch and the rise of conservative populism
• [04:46] – The birth of modern media conglomerates under Murdoch
• [05:22] – Campbell’s personal experience inside Murdoch’s empire
• [07:05] – Wolff’s access to Murdoch and writing his biography
• [08:18] – Murdoch’s relentless media focus and work ethic
• [08:46] – Murdoch’s saga as reflected in Succession

Tone & Approach

The discussion is incisive but conversational, marked by mutual respect and deep insider knowledge. Campbell and Wolff balance critical analysis with anecdote, bringing wit and candid critique to the subject. The overall tone is analytical, reflective, and rich with historical context—accessible for both expert and general audiences.

Summary Takeaway

This episode positions Rupert Murdoch as arguably the most enduring and transformative media mogul of the modern era, mapping his journey from Australian newspapers to a global media empire with immense political and cultural clout. Through personal stories, analysis, and debate, Campbell and Wolff invite listeners to appreciate both the scale of his achievement and the controversies his power has spawned—setting the stage for a deeper exploration in subsequent episodes.