Last week, Murdoch and his eldest son, Lachlan, finalised the more than three decades-long drama over who would succeed him in leading the family empire. Lachlan’s three siblings from Murdoch snr’s first two marriages, Prudence, James and Elisabeth, were paid $US1.1 billion ($1.65 billion) each to cut ties with the family trust, which held their interests in the suite of assets which included News Corp and Fox Corp. This move secured Lachlan as the sole heir, and controller of the family empire.
Tiffany Trump and Apple chief executive Tim Cook.Credit: Getty Images
Now, with that fight in the rearview mirror, the Trump lawsuit is the next personal challenge. In July, Trump sued Murdoch, News Corp and The Wall Street Journal over a story reporting an alleged “bawdy” letter sent by the president to Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump is seeking $US10 billion in damages, and had initially sought to expedite Murdoch’s examination, due to his advanced age.
The menu for the state banquet featured Hampshire watercress panna cotta, organic Norfolk chicken ballotine, and vanilla ice-cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet interior. There was also a pricey wine list, and despite Trump not drinking alcohol, there was a 1945 vintage port for after-dinner drinks in honour of the 45th president, and a 1912 cognac – the year of his mother’s birth, the BBC reported.

