On almost every stop of my book tour for http://HoaxTheBook.com , I've been asked about the future of Fox News. And I've talked about the battle for control of Fox that will erupt in the event of Rupert Murdoch's death. Time for a #thread...
Rupert's four adult children all hold power through their shares in the Murdoch Family Trust. In HOAX, I outlined a theory: Could James "partner with his sisters to wrest control of Fox Corp" from brother Lachlan, who currently runs the company?
On Page 313 I wrote, "sources said that Elisabeth would surely side with James, and Prudence likely would as well—three votes against one. Was this a serious possibility, or just a liberal fantasy? 'Time will tell,' a source said." It all hinged on the passing of the patriarch.
In this weekend's NYT, @maureendowd has new reporting – making a Fox power play sound like a matter of WHEN, not IF. "Murdoch watchers across media say James is aligned with his sister Elisabeth and his half sister, Prudence, even as he is estranged from his father and brother."
My takeaway: There WILL be tug of war for Fox Corp, including Fox News. No one knows when. But it will happen. Will Fox stars like Sean Hannity fit into a version of Fox News that is controlled by James Murdoch, who assails right-wing extremism and disinformation?

End of thread.
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