Inside James and Rupert Murdoch’s meltdown

Today, Coppins tells us why James spoke out to reveal the bitter details of the battle over the Murdoch empire.

Jan 07, 2026, updated Jan 07, 2026

When one of the world’s most powerful families converged in a Nevada court room in 2024 to fight over the future of their empire, what unfolded was tightly guarded.

Rupert Murdoch was attempting to change a decades-old family trust in order to install his chosen son, Lachlan, as heir apparent when he dies.

But then, in a rare interview with The Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins, James Murdoch gave his account of the case and how it tore his family apart.

Today, Coppins tells us why James spoke out to reveal the bitter details of the battle over the Murdoch empire.

This is part one in a two-part interview. It was originally published in February 2025.

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