Dave Davies

McKay Coffins is a staff writer for The Atlantic. His new article is Growing Up Murdoch, James Murdoch on mind games, sibling rivalry, and the war for the family media empire. He'll be back to talk more after this short break. I'm Dave Davies, and this is Fresh Air Weekend. So let's get to the court battle that's at the heart of this story.

There was a plan in place for many, many years, a trust, which said that when Rupert Murdoch passed away, that the voting rights in the company would be split among four siblings, Lachlan and James, the two boys, Liz, their sister, and then Prue, who was their sister from a previous marriage.

There was a plan in place for many, many years, a trust, which said that when Rupert Murdoch passed away, that the voting rights in the company would be split among four siblings, Lachlan and James, the two boys, Liz, their sister, and then Prue, who was their sister from a previous marriage.

There was a plan in place for many, many years, a trust, which said that when Rupert Murdoch passed away, that the voting rights in the company would be split among four siblings, Lachlan and James, the two boys, Liz, their sister, and then Prue, who was their sister from a previous marriage.

And to a lot of observers, that meant that it might be James who had the upper hand over Lachlan because it was assumed that the two sisters might work with him in terms of the future direction of the company. This was problematic for Rupert Murdoch, right? So he hatches a plan. What does he do?

And to a lot of observers, that meant that it might be James who had the upper hand over Lachlan because it was assumed that the two sisters might work with him in terms of the future direction of the company. This was problematic for Rupert Murdoch, right? So he hatches a plan. What does he do?

And to a lot of observers, that meant that it might be James who had the upper hand over Lachlan because it was assumed that the two sisters might work with him in terms of the future direction of the company. This was problematic for Rupert Murdoch, right? So he hatches a plan. What does he do?

This trial began in September 2024 in this county courthouse. James took the stand. What did he say the experience was like for him emotionally?

This trial began in September 2024 in this county courthouse. James took the stand. What did he say the experience was like for him emotionally?

This trial began in September 2024 in this county courthouse. James took the stand. What did he say the experience was like for him emotionally?

After all this testimony, it didn't go particularly well for Rupert. It went much better for James and his siblings' side of it. And this all came down to a single man, Edmund Gorman, who's the Washoe County Probate Commissioner. This multibillion-dollar company and all this comes down to one man, one county official, and he issues a clear ruling, right?

After all this testimony, it didn't go particularly well for Rupert. It went much better for James and his siblings' side of it. And this all came down to a single man, Edmund Gorman, who's the Washoe County Probate Commissioner. This multibillion-dollar company and all this comes down to one man, one county official, and he issues a clear ruling, right?

After all this testimony, it didn't go particularly well for Rupert. It went much better for James and his siblings' side of it. And this all came down to a single man, Edmund Gorman, who's the Washoe County Probate Commissioner. This multibillion-dollar company and all this comes down to one man, one county official, and he issues a clear ruling, right?

Rupert and Lachlan have appealed. Is it likely to stand do you think? What's the course from here?

Rupert and Lachlan have appealed. Is it likely to stand do you think? What's the course from here?

Rupert and Lachlan have appealed. Is it likely to stand do you think? What's the course from here?

You know, you note that James and his wife, Catherine, have spent millions on political contributions, mostly to Democrats, I think, and to pro-democracy causes and other philanthropic work, particularly climate change. Is it fair to assume that if this verdict holds that when Rupert Murdoch dies, Fox News is not going to be the same product?

You know, you note that James and his wife, Catherine, have spent millions on political contributions, mostly to Democrats, I think, and to pro-democracy causes and other philanthropic work, particularly climate change. Is it fair to assume that if this verdict holds that when Rupert Murdoch dies, Fox News is not going to be the same product?

You know, you note that James and his wife, Catherine, have spent millions on political contributions, mostly to Democrats, I think, and to pro-democracy causes and other philanthropic work, particularly climate change. Is it fair to assume that if this verdict holds that when Rupert Murdoch dies, Fox News is not going to be the same product?

You know, I mentioned the HBO series Succession in the introduction. You know, I thought it was great television. But I wouldn't have guessed that the people who actually lived lives like this would be interested in it because, I mean, come on, it's television. But actually you discovered that members of the family were into it, right?