Hugh Jackman took center stage for media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s 95th birthday party in New York City on Saturday night, delivering a memorable musical performance. The occasion was held at The Grill, an exclusive restaurant located in the Seagram Building in Midtown Manhattan, where Jackman performed renditions of songs from his 2017 movie The Greatest Showman, alongside classic tunes such as Fly Me to the Moon and New York, New York.
Details of Jackman’s Performance and Audience Reactions
Jackman concluded his set with a heartfelt version of Peter Allen’s “I Still Call Australia Home,” during which he expressed gratitude to Murdoch for his ongoing support throughout his career. Observers at the event noted Ivanka Trump enthusiastically cheering Jackman on during the performance, highlighting the entertainer’s close ties with Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, both long-time acquaintances of Jackman.
“I’ve known those guys for 15 years, and we don’t talk politics at birthday parties.” – Hugh Jackman
Rupert Murdoch’s Milestone and Notable Guests at the Event
Rupert Murdoch, originally from Australia and founder of a vast media empire spanning Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post, celebrated his 95th birthday on March 11. He attended the celebration alongside his wife Elena Zhukova, whom he married earlier in 2024, and his son Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corporation. The party attracted a prominent guest list, including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, former British prime minister Tony Blair, former US House Speaker Paul Ryan, Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin, US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
Political Figures and Messages Associated with the Event
Former President Donald Trump did not attend in person but contributed a video message praising Murdoch as “legendary” and “one of a kind.” This came in the wake of a high-profile defamation lawsuit that Trump filed earlier in 2026 against The Wall Street Journal, News Corp, Murdoch himself, and two journalists concerning a disputed 2003 birthday greeting allegedly sent by Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, which Trump denies authorship of. Despite these tensions, the event maintained an atmosphere where longstanding friendships appeared to transcend the political disputes.
Murdoch’s Remarks and Family Disputes Over Control of His Media Empire
During the celebration, Murdoch addressed his guests with a forward-looking speech, emphasizing America’s ongoing role as a leader in innovation and invention. However, notable was the absence of several of Murdoch’s children—James, Elisabeth, and Prudence MacLeod—who did not attend due to a family dispute over a trust controlling News Corp and Fox. This controversy revolved around Murdoch’s efforts to restructure the trust to ensure Lachlan’s continued control following Murdoch’s passing. The dispute concluded in September 2025 with a settlement awarding roughly $1.1 billion to each of the three children in exchange for relinquishing their stakes in the trust.
“I won’t bore you with memories of what you know – this is the time to look to the future. America has become the unmatched engine of invention.” – Rupert Murdoch
Significance of the Celebration and Its Implications
Murdoch’s 95th birthday party not only marked a milestone for one of the most influential figures in global media but also highlighted the complex intersections of business, family, politics, and entertainment. Hugh Jackman’s birthday performance underscored longstanding personal connections that bridge across differing public and political arenas. Meanwhile, the family trust settlement points toward potential shifts in the leadership and governance of News Corp and Fox. The event serves as a rare gathering of powerful figures from multiple sectors and hints at future dynamics within the Murdoch empire and its wide-reaching influence.
