Welcome to a special edition of Breaker.In recent weeks, we have been struggling to come up with a present forRupert Murdoch’s 95th birthday on Wednesday.What do you get the man who has everything?
In tonight’s edition, you’ll see we gave the media mogul an old-school tabloid stakeout as his birthday present (plus a surprise extra gift!).
The worlds of politics, media, sport, and entertainment all collided on Saturday night in Manhattan to celebrate Murdoch, and only Breaker was there to capture all the power players in technicolor glory.
Mentioned tonight:Rupert Murdoch, Elena Zhukova, Lachlan Murdoch,Sarah Murdoch, Rebekah Brooks, Charlie Brooks,Robert Thomson, Donald Trump,Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Hugh Jackman, Lord Rothermere, Tony Blair, Keith Poole, Steven Rubenstein, Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, Dana Blumberg, Roger Goodell,Prudence Murdoch, James Murdoch,Barry Diller,Elisabeth Murdoch,Les Hinton, Kath Raymond Hinton,Glenn Youngkin,Col Allan, Chase Carey, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Paul Ryan, Doug Burgumand more.
(World Exclusive.)On Saturday afternoon, we left the Breaker downtown bureau and headed uptown. Earlier in the week, we had received a tip-off thatRupert Murdochwas having his 95th birthday party at The Grill in Midtown.
When we arrived with our snapper,Jesse Ward, dozens of News Corp and Fox security officials were standing outside. Our trademark fedora may have been a giveaway that, while our invitation was surely lost in the mail, we were attending nonetheless.
Soon after, key Murdoch figures started arriving.Steven Rubenstein, Murdoch's longtime PR consigliere, was followed by News UK CEORebekah Brooksand husbandCharlie. Then cameLachlan Murdochand his wife,Sarah, followed by the man of the hour,Rupert, accompanied by his wifeElena Zhukova.
Inside, former Murdoch editors rubbed shoulders with the former leaders of Spain and the United Kingdom over cocktails while a large security contingent lingered outside. When it was time to sit down, former News International CEOLes Hintonlanded on the floor — a result of a broken chair.
Lachlan and Sarah were seated next to former Governor of VirginiaGlenn Youngkinand his wife, Suzanne. News UK CEORebekah Brookswas MC, with speeches from News Corp CEORobert Thomson, Lachlan, and Zhukova.Donald Trumpsent a video message.
But it wasRupert's speech that guests would later tell Breaker was the highlight of their night. Murdoch talked about his pride in being American before going on to praise his son, Lachlan; “I’m proud of you, the son you are and leader you have become,”and said that there was more work for the company to crack on with, noting the A.I. revolution.
Source: Drudge Report
