597 Comments
⭠ Return to thread

In some ways I could hold one man responsible for tearing apart a country that before, supported that Constitution and that would be Rupert Murdock, who with Fox "News" might be the greatest villain to bring down this short lived democracy. It also took a serious turn with Citizen's United- with Leonard Leo's court. Look up NPRs podcast on him if you don't know who he is. Scary business! Thanks as always Heather for your wonderful letters. They're a part of my every day.

Expand full comment

Interestingly, Rupert Murdoch's son James Murdoch was one of 88 business leaders who recently endorsed Kamala Harris for President. Rupert Murdoch is currently contesting his irrevocable trust (by definition, not contestable) to have control of his empire go solely to his favored son Lachlan, the sole MAGA of his four oldest children who'd have equal votes under the terms of the current trust.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/17/media/murdoch-family-succession-fox-news-future/index.html

Expand full comment

Great minds think alike, Ellie! Your post is more succinct than mine was about this news. It also reports that former Attorney General Bill Barr has accompanied Rupert into court last Monday...the plot thickens!

Expand full comment

Apparently this probate judge in Reno has the power. Wonder how much he is being paid, and by whom. I remember Rupert and James in a British court being pilloried for their “journalistic” practices that were beyond the pale. May sanity rule.

Expand full comment

We should indeed wonder about remuneration here, given this summer's SCOTUS ruling that bribes are only

"tips" if there's no written agreement and payment happens after-the-fact. (Snyder v. USA)

Expand full comment

Judge shopping is de rigueur with repubs, who taught them better than Rupert

Expand full comment

That's a Wow Helga. You stated the proper SCOTUS holding with the case citation!

However, [there's always a however] IRS: "All tips you receive are income" relying on IRS' Publication 531.

Expand full comment

And Bill Barr is Rupert's consiglieri!

Better than a Hollywood movie.

Expand full comment

Ellie, thank you for the CNN Link as the author , Brian Stelter is a capable professional.

I went to the Associated Press (AP) posted 9/16 8:52 PM PDT:

The AP reports that all 4 Rupert Murdoch progeny are involved in the NEVADA Court proceeding.

AP reminds their readers:

"Lachlan remains in charge of a cadre of newspapers [Australia too], television networks including the Wall Street Journal & Fox News Channel."

Later today, I will check the NV Probate Court docket on "Court Listener" and/or other NV probate sources. Thank you again.

Expand full comment

Update as of 12:30 PM PDT:

Murdoch's Probate case will run for 10 Court days 9/17 through 9/28. The Probate Court has "barred" media. I would expect a "Mandamus Writ" from one or more the heavyweight news Corps flipping that unconstitutional Order.

Main issue: The Trustor, 93 year old Murdoch has made clear his specific intent to hand over "permanent & exclusive control" to rabid Lachlan

Expand full comment

Thanks for posting this - I’ll look it up.

Expand full comment

Jane Mayer provides a detailed list of helpers in all of this in her book Dark Money. Now Anne Applebaum provides an international list in Autocracy Inc.

Expand full comment

There is a confederacy of creeps. As I recall, Reagan seemed to have a hand in bringing Bad News Murdock to our shores.

Expand full comment

He did indeed. Had a dinner in honor of Murdoch and his “help” in Jan 1981.

Expand full comment

Yes, we're looking at a reactionary conservative white male patriarchy based movement, born in reaction to the Civil Rights, secular, women's rights tendencies from that era. Roe v Wade, taking prayers out of the schools. what's happening now is a minority attempt to bring back that past. Ethnic and cultural minorities on the other hand have coalesced around the Dems.

Expand full comment

"There is no particular thing that you can do alone. The 'I' in it is very small, after all." —Marian Anderson. She was, of course, referring to good deeds, but the same applies to bad acts. I don't know how to begin to count the number of people it took to leave Amber Nicole Thurman's six-year-old son without a mother.

Expand full comment

Murdock - an Australian

Expand full comment

Murdoch. Now, imo, that's one immigrant that should've been deported but, alas, Ronald Reagan had other things in mind:

https://johnmenadue.com/how-reagan-and-us-agencies-made-murdoch-a-king/

Also, there is a court proceeding in Nevada where Rupert is trying to break his irrevocable trust. As it stands, "Upon Rupert Murdoch’s death, News Corp and Fox voting shares will be transferred to his four oldest children – Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan and James. Potentially, three of the heirs could out-vote a fourth, setting up a battle over the future of the companies, even as Lachlan Murdoch runs Fox and is sole chair of News Corp." "Rupert Murdoch’s proposed amendment would block any interference by three of Lachlan’s siblings, who are more politically moderate, the Times reported, citing a sealed court document."

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/murdoch-succession-drama-plays-out-closed-court-2024-09-16/

Expand full comment

Did they judge shop???

Expand full comment

Great question, JD!

Expand full comment

I feel sure that lots of effort put into that one question

Expand full comment

alrighty, then!

Expand full comment

So? Sarah's point remains valid.

Expand full comment

Or was. Now citizen of the US.

Expand full comment

All part of the conservative oligarchy that runs the world. There are more of us so why do we let it happen?

Expand full comment

The seeds were planted way back when they did away with "Truth in Advertising."

Expand full comment