Political Gabfest Gabfest Reads | The Real Succession
Mar 21, 2026
Gabriel Sherman, investigative journalist and author of Bonfire of the Murdochs, digs into the Murdoch family’s rivalries and power plays. Short scenes cover Rupert’s manipulation of his children, the Nevada trust battle that reshaped control, and sketches of Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. They compare Murdoch and Trump dynasties and debate whether the empire can survive Rupert’s exit.
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Family Rivalry Shapes Media Output
- The Murdoch family's media influence is rooted in personal family dynamics rather than just corporate strategy.
- Gabriel Sherman shows James's push for a more fact-based Fox was thwarted by sibling rivalry and Rupert favoring Lachlan, linking family love to political output.
Rupert Pitted Elizabeth Against James
- Rupert used Elizabeth to pressure James to quit during the 2011 phone-hacking scandal, effectively turning sibling against sibling.
- Sherman recounts Elizabeth being told to fire James, which led to years of estrangement until they later united against Rupert and Lachlan in a lawsuit.
Distinct Personalities of the Three Heirs
- Elizabeth, Lachlan, and James each play distinct roles: Elizabeth is the savvy outsider, Lachlan the conservative heir, James the restless intellectual.
- Sherman details Elizabeth's entertainment success, Lachlan's conservative grooming, and James's identity struggles and intellectual bent.
