Rupert Murdoch’s courtroom showdown over the future of his vast media empire has kicked off with all the drama of a top-notch TV drama.

Imagine scenes right out of “Succession,” and you’re pretty close to what’s unfolding.

The 93-year-old media mogul’s legal team has been arguing behind closed doors, keeping the press and public at bay.

Their mission? To convince the court that Murdoch should pass the reins to his eldest son, Lachlan, who is 53.

A Stark Contrast in Reno

Murdoch, accompanied by his four eldest children, made quite an entrance at the courthouse in downtown Reno, Nevada, arriving in a fleet of blacked-out SUVs.

This starkly contrasts with the local scene: a nearby casino was serving $6 daiquiris for breakfast, and two homeless individuals were eating their morning meal from a plastic bag across from the grand Beaux Arts courthouse.

Despite this setting, the case is drawing serious attention, with a whopping 79 lawyers listed as part of the proceedings.

The Legal Drama Unfolds

The hearing, officially termed an “evidentiary hearing,” is essentially a five-day bench trial featuring witnesses and a mountain of evidence.

At stake? A staggering $15 billion in assets tied to Murdoch’s media empire, including Fox News and major newspapers like The Times, The Sun, The New York Post, and The Wall Street Journal.

The core issue is Murdoch’s attempt to transfer his voting power to Lachlan, thereby giving him the edge over his three siblings—Prudence, Elisabeth, and James—in the family’s media trust.

Family Dynamics and Power Plays

Murdoch’s push to install Lachlan as his successor is driven by concerns that his other children might steer Fox News in a more liberal direction, which he believes could harm the business.

Murdoch’s legal team now faces the challenge of convincing probate commissioner Edmund Gorman that this power shift will benefit everyone involved in the trust.

Behind the Scenes

The courtroom scene was meticulously controlled.

Photographers were kept on the courthouse steps, guarded by five armed court security officers, while corporate security kept watch.

Prudence, who seems to have flown in from Australia, was among the first to arrive, joined by James and Elisabeth with their respective spouses.

Elisabeth was the only one to acknowledge reporters, shaking her head when asked for comments.

Murdoch and Lachlan arrived shortly after in another convoy of blacked-out SUVs. Murdoch, holding hands with his fifth wife, Elena Zhukova, declined to comment as he entered the courthouse.

Lachlan followed, hand-in-hand with his wife, Sarah.

Legal Heavyweights and Secrecy

Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr was also spotted, reportedly leading efforts to amend Murdoch’s trust.

He declined to comment. Murdoch’s legal team carried in multiple boxes labeled with terms like “witness binder” and “digital print,” underscoring the case’s complexity.

The hearings are taking place in Reno due to its favorable probate laws, ensuring privacy.

As a result, over 500 documents filed since last October are sealed from public view.

Public Access and Controversy

Despite numerous media outlets, including CNN and The New York Times, attempting to gain access, their requests were denied.

A local nonprofit, Our Nevada Judges, which advocates for greater court transparency, also sought access but was unsuccessful.

Its founder, Alex Falconi, argued that the public deserves to know what’s happening, given the high-profile nature of the case involving Rupert Murdoch and News Corp.

For now, the case remains shrouded in secrecy, with only the names of the lawyers and other non-parties available to the public.

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