President Trump praises Rupert Murdoch as “legendary” in a birthday video tribute, setting aside a $10 billion lawsuit against his media empire to honor the conservative media titan.
Story Highlights
- Rupert Murdoch, 95, hosted a star-studded black-tie party at The Grill in New York on March 9, 2026, drawing Trump family members and political heavyweights.
- Hugh Jackman performed Sinatra classics and thanked Murdoch for launching his career, underscoring Murdoch’s entertainment influence.
- Trump’s video message called Murdoch “one of a kind” who “changed the world,” signaling strong ties despite ongoing litigation.
- Son Lachlan Murdoch praised his father as a journalist at heart, while absent siblings highlight family trust battles over empire control.
Event Details and Star Power
Rupert Murdoch celebrated his upcoming 95th birthday on March 9, 2026, at The Grill restaurant in New York City’s Seagram Building. The black-tie affair gathered elite guests including Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Paul Ryan, Doug Burgum, NFL commissioners Roger Goodell, Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Bobby Kotick. Hugh Jackman delivered a performance of Sinatra classics, songs from The Greatest Showman and The Boy from Oz, and “I Still Call Australia Home.” Jackman publicly thanked Murdoch for career support early on. The venue, a prestigious Midtown Manhattan spot, symbolized enduring elite networks.
Family Tributes Amid Succession Tensions
Lachlan Murdoch, Fox Corporation CEO and heir apparent, spoke glowingly of his father, stating he is “most proud of being a journalist at heart.” Wife Elena Zhukova, married to Murdoch in 2024, described him as “fearless” with an “insatiable love of life” and boyish energy. Murdoch himself addressed guests, saying “Time to look to the future. America is the engine of invention” and joking about “wonderful things… at 92.” These speeches reinforced family unity on the surface, even as siblings James, Elisabeth, and Prudence stayed away due to ongoing trust disputes. Murdoch seeks to amend control to favor Lachlan after his death.
Rupert Murdoch celebrates 95th birthday at star-studded New York party https://t.co/lxTenSVQPE pic.twitter.com/DgjRnV7qsp
— NY Post Business (@nypostbiz) March 9, 2026
Trump’s Praise Signals Pragmatic Alliance
A video tribute from President Donald Trump played at the event, hailing Murdoch as “legendary,” “one of a kind,” and someone who “changed the world.” This gesture came despite Trump’s late 2025 $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, News Corp, and Murdoch over a July 2025 article on a disputed 2003 Epstein greeting. The praise highlights resilient bonds between Trump and the media mogul who built Fox News, a key conservative voice. For Trump supporters, it shows Murdoch’s outlets remain vital against leftist narratives, even amid legal friction. The event underscores media-political interdependence that bolsters conservative values.
Enduring Legacy in Conservative Media
Born March 11, 1931, in Melbourne, Australia, Murdoch expanded an inherited newspaper business into a global empire including News Corp, Fox Corporation, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and New York Post. At 95, the party affirms his vitality, potentially reassuring Fox and News Corp investors amid leadership concerns. Short-term, it eases doubts on stability. Long-term, Lachlan’s prominence suggests consolidation, though sibling rifts may extend legal battles over company control. The gathering serves as a barometer of Murdoch’s lasting influence in a fragmented media landscape, where conservative voices like Fox News counter globalist and woke agendas.
Implications for Power Dynamics
The event concluded successfully with no reported conflicts as of March 10, 2026. It glamorizes elite networks while exposing family succession tensions. Politically, Trump’s involvement despite the lawsuit demonstrates pragmatic elite relationships that prioritize shared interests in American strength and limited government. Economically, it spotlights the value of Murdoch’s media consolidation. For conservatives frustrated by past fiscal mismanagement and open borders, Murdoch’s empire—especially Fox News—remains a bulwark for traditional values and accountability.
Sources:
Rupert Murdoch Celebrates 95th Birthday at Star-Studded New York Party
Hugh Jackman Sings for Rupert Murdoch at Billionaire’s 95th Birthday Party
Rupert Murdoch Celebrates 95th Birthday at Star-Studded New York Party
