Rupert Murdoch may have technically stepped back from running the media empire he built over many decades, but don’t be fooled by his new title of chairman “emeritus” of News Corp and Fox – an honorary title typically retained after retirement from academia – he will still be calling the shots.

Rupert made that clear with the statement that he will continue to “be involved every day in the contest of ideas” despite – technically – retiring from the board of both companies. What the announcement does do is embed his chosen heir, Lachlan Murdoch, as the undisputed successor.

Murdoch’s control of the super shares that dominate voting rights at both Fox and News Corp gives the family about 40 per cent of votes despite owning just 14 per cent of each.

Rupert’s determination to maintain an iron grip on the group by means fair and foul may have been triggered by the precariousness of his own control of the family’s holding ... The control of the voting rights is only in Lachlan and Rupert’s hands while the family patriarch is alive... There is an intention, on the part of the other siblings, to reassert control of the [Fox & News] trust the moment Rupert dies.

“I am writing to let you all know that I have decided to transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus at Fox and News,” Murdoch wrote [in a letter to staff].

We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years - I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them,” he added.

“In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas.”

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter on Saturday ridiculed Representative Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, for recently being ejected from a theater performance.

"Can't Colorado find SOME Republican not trashy and stupid to represent them in the 3rd congressional district?" Coulter wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Coulter's message included a link to a news article about how CCTV footage from the incident shows Boebert vaping inside the theater. The congresswoman's office initially denied claims about vaping indoors, but Boebert later apologized after the video emerged and said the past few days had been "difficult and humbling."

Coulter wrote multiple messages on Saturday about Boebert. In another X post, she called the lawmaker a "totally embarrassing bimbo."