Rupert Murdoch loses bid to change family trust

CNN — Rupert Murdoch cannot amend his family trust to put the power of his media companies in the hands of his chosen successor, a Nevada commissioner has ruled. The probate commissioner, who heard several days of secret testimony by Murdoch family members earlier this year, issued a ruling over the weekend, and the 96-page opinion eviscerated Rupert Murdoch and his chosen son, Lachlan Murdoch, according to a person with direct knowledge of the ruling. Rupert Murdoch had wanted to amend his irrevocable family trust, which gives his four eldest children equal voting shares upon his death. According to the Times, an episode of “Succession” about the death of the fictional family patriarch Logan Roy caused Murdoch’s children to hold discussions about how to avoid a TV-drama-worthy outcome within their own family. The ruling from Gorman was unequivocal, stating that the attempt to blow up the trust was a “carefully crafted charade.” A spokesperson for James, Elisabeth and Prue Murdoch told CNN that they hope to “move beyond this litigation to focus on strengthening and rebuilding relationships among all family members.” An attorney for Rupert Murdoch did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.