“Nepo babies” — short for nepotism babies — are the children of high-profile people who likely benefited from their parents’ connections, fame, and insider industry knowledge to catapult their own careers. From blog contributors to Fox Corp. executives, nepo babies are a staple of the right-wing media universe.
Nepo babies are common across all sectors of business and society, including Hollywood, academia, and politics. The children of nepotists can seemingly rely on their trickle-down clout for a foot in the door, surpassing those who must find their industry footing on their own.
The exploration of nepo babies came to prominence recently after TikTokers began drawing connections between young stars and their parents. A New York magazine story dubbed “How a Nepo Baby Is Born” expanded the analysis of nepotism in American media and spurred content examining nepotism across various sectors.
Nepotism among right-wing media figures informs aspects of the media beyond the echo chamber of conservative platforms. There are nepotistic right-wing media and political connections across the American media landscape, from the mainstream media to the far-right. It also exemplifies the revolving door between the media and the Republican Party, a longtime pattern.
In right-wing media, some cases of nepotism are overt and celebrated, like the father-son duo of Steve and Peter Doocy of Fox News, while others are more clandestine (see: Tucker Carlson). However, it is important to note that not all nepotistic relationships come down to sharing the same job field or title, as prominence and influence don’t necessarily come down to a job title. Sometimes, having a notable last name or the right leverage in one field can bolster the opportunities for younger generations.
Thus it’s not surprising nepo babies run amok in the right-wing media ecosystem -- drawing their influence from parents either in the media business or politics -- considering it’s an industry steeped in lies, conspiracy theories, and questionable hires. Here is a noncomprehensive list of nepo babies in right-wing media:
Rupert Murdoch
Australian conservative media mogul and Fox Corp. Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch is the son of journalist and publisher Keith Murdoch.
Lachlan, James, and Elisabeth Murdoch
Lachlan, James, and Elisabeth Murdoch are Rupert Murdoch’s children. All three have benefitted professionally and personally from their father’s right-wing media empire.
