Newsmax

Newsmax, Inc.

Company type	Public
Industry	Cable news, political analysis, digital media
Founded	1998 (1998)
Founder	Christopher Ruddy
Headquarters	Boca Raton, Florida , United States
Area served	United States, United Kingdom
Key people	Christopher Ruddy (CEO), David J. Perel (Director), Kenneth Chandler (Editor)
Products	Newsmax TV, Newsmax.com (including Newsmax Health and Newsmax Finance), Newsmax magazine
Website	newsmax.com

Newsmax, Inc. (formerly known as NewsMax) is a U.S.-based company specializing in cable news, political analysis, and digital media, established by entrepreneur Christopher Ruddy in 1998. Operating within the conservative and right-leaning media sector, Newsmax encompasses several branches including its cable network Newsmax TV, the digital platform Newsmax.com (which incorporates Newsmax Health and Newsmax Finance), and the monthly publication Newsmax. The company became publicly traded in March 2025.

Newsmax TV debuted in June 2014, initially accessible to 35 million satellite subscribers through DirecTV and Dish Network. By May 2019, it had broadened its reach to nearly 70 million households via cable services. As of April 2025, the channel averaged a weekly viewership of 319,000. Its main broadcasting studio is situated on Manhattan’s East Side in New York City, with corporate offices located in Boca Raton, Florida, and Washington, D.C. In October 2023, Newsmax extended its international presence by launching on the UK’s Freeview Connect platform.

Strategically, Newsmax TV positions itself as a rival to Fox News, recruiting former Fox News executives and on-air talent including Rob Schmitt, Greg Kelly, Bob Sellers, and Heather Childers. The network has also provided a platform for notable figures such as Mark Halperin and Bill O'Reilly after their departures from other broadcasters.

Following the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Newsmax attracted scrutiny for airing conspiracy theories supportive of former President Donald Trump and his campaign’s claims of voter fraud. CEO Christopher Ruddy affirmed that the network’s editorial stance favored Trump’s policies. Nevertheless, by December 2020, Newsmax officially recognized Joe Biden as the legitimate president-elect and issued an apology in 2021 retracting erroneous voter fraud accusations.

In 2021, the company encountered major legal disputes when voting technology firms Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic filed lawsuits against Newsmax for disseminating false election fraud allegations. The lawsuit brought by Smartmatic was settled in September 2024 for $40 million. A court decision in 2025 determined that Newsmax had broadcast defamatory remarks about Dominion. Furthermore, DirecTV removed Newsmax from its lineup in January 2023 due to contractual disagreements but reinstated the channel after resolving issues in March 2023. This removal prompted a reaction from 42 House Republicans who accused DirecTV of censoring politically unpopular viewpoints.

Key leadership includes founder and CEO Christopher Ruddy, director David J. Perel, and editor Kenneth Chandler. The organizational structure supports a range of media operations across cable television, publishing, and digital platforms, contributing to the company’s growing financial results and influence within conservative media markets.

History and content

Christopher Ruddy launched Newsmax.com on September 16, 1998, with backing from investors such as the family of former CIA Director William J. Casey and later from Richard Mellon Scaife, Ruddy’s previous employer at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Early board members featured author James Dale Davidson and former Times editor Lord William Rees-Mogg, who served as chairman. Other distinguished board members included veteran journalist Arnaud de Borchgrave, ex-Forbes publisher Jeff Cunningham, and Admiral Thomas Moorer, who once chaired the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., former Secretary of State and chief of staff under Presidents Nixon and Ford, acted as a special adviser.

Initially recognized for its critical coverage of anti-Bill Clinton narratives, Newsmax altered its approach in 2007 when CEO Ruddy published a positive review of Clinton's book Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World and conducted a favorable interview with him. This change was reflected in a supportive cover story in Newsmax magazine and Clinton's visit to Newsmax headquarters in West Palm Beach in 2010. In 2014, Newsmax contributed $1 million to the Clinton Foundation, with Ruddy accompanying Clinton on foundation trips to Africa.

By 2010, Financial Times noted Newsmax's significant growth contrary to media industry trends, reporting an annual increase of 40% over ten years with revenues rising from $25 million in 2008 to $36 million in 2009. The company anticipated generating $50 million revenue in 2010. That year also saw Kenneth Chandler appointed editor-in-chief of Newsmax Magazine.

The New York Times described Newsmax as an influential entity within conservative politics, highlighting its headquarters as a frequent destination for Republican candidates during the lead-up to the 2012 election. In April 2013, comScore ranked Newsmax.com at the top of its News/Politics category with 14.4 million unique monthly visitors, surpassing rivals such as The Huffington Post Politics and Fox News Politics.

The roster of contributors includes notable individuals like Nancy Brinker, George Will, Lanny Davis, Alan Dershowitz, founder Christopher Ruddy himself, David Limbaugh, Ben Stein, Susan Estrich, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Michael Reagan, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Dr. Michael Roizen.

In November 2017, amid heightened competition within conservative media, CEO Ruddy criticized Fox News for its close association with President Donald Trump while emphasizing that Newsmax’s strategy involved supporting yet occasionally critiquing the president to preserve editorial independence.

Coverage of the 2020 United States presidential election

Throughout the 2020 U.S. presidential race, President Trump endorsed Newsmax over competitor Fox News, particularly after Fox News was the first to project Arizona for Joe Biden. This endorsement helped Newsmax increase its share among conservative audiences dissatisfied with Fox News. The network leveraged this momentum by recruiting former Fox News personalities such as Rob Schmitt and Greg Kelly, thereby enhancing its lineup on Newsmax TV.

Emily VanDerWerff from Vox observed that Newsmax concentrated on challenging early calls of Biden’s victory, highlighting the Trump campaign’s legal efforts, while maintaining a moderately conservative perspective without promoting extreme viewpoints. CNN’s Brian Stelter questioned CEO Christopher Ruddy about the network’s broadcast of election denial content; Ruddy defended their editorial stance as inclusive of all perspectives and criticized other media outlets for hastily declaring results.

In interviews with Variety and The New Yorker, Ruddy underscored Newsmax’s independent operational model and strategic direction, describing the company as "moderately conservative" and affirming support for the duly certified president. He rejected the notion of transforming into "Trump TV," though he was open to Trump hosting a weekly program. Ruddy also stated that Trump should concede once official state certifications were complete and opposed attempts to overturn the Electoral College outcome.

Following the Electoral College’s certification of Biden’s victory on December 14, 2020, Newsmax adjusted its terminology by referring to Biden as "President-elect," demonstrating adaptability to the changing political environment while preserving journalistic credibility.

Acquisition reports

On November 15, 2020, The Wall Street Journal revealed that Hicks Equity Partners, a private equity firm connected to a Republican National Committee co-chair, was considering acquiring Newsmax. The firm had identified potential executives to oversee the network and engaged in discussions with former Fox News hosts including Megyn Kelly. Media analyst Michael Nathanson suggested that attracting 20% of Fox News’ audience could reduce Fox’s annual profits by approximately $200 million. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy denied any ongoing sale negotiations or agreements with Hicks Equity Partners, stating, "We aim to surpass Fox News within 12 months, and I believe it is achievable."

Post-2020 United States presidential election

In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Newsmax disseminated unfounded allegations accusing voting machine companies Smartmatic and Dominion of conspiring to manipulate election results. A video featuring host Carl Higbie making debunked assertions amassed 16.5 million views in early November. In December 2020, Smartmatic threatened legal action demanding retractions of these false claims. Subsequently, Newsmax issued a clarification stating it possessed no evidence supporting allegations of vote tampering or improper business ties involving these companies and noted that Smartmatic software was utilized only in Los Angeles during the election.

Mediaite highlighted potential conservative distrust toward Newsmax due to CEO Christopher Ruddy’s friendship with former Democratic President Bill Clinton and prior contributions to the Clinton Foundation; however, Ruddy emphasized that over 90% of his political donations supported Republicans, including Donald Trump. Media experts characterized Ruddy as a pragmatic leader unlikely to operate a strictly ideological platform.

Newsmax experienced a tenfold increase in television ratings during Q4 2020 compared to Q3, with leading programs averaging 816,000 viewers in early November. CEO Ruddy described the network’s role as a "loyal opposition" to the Biden administration, striving for balanced yet critical reporting. Although Newsmax briefly outperformed Fox News in viewership in December 2020, its audience subsequently declined; by March 2021, it reached 10% of U.S. adults compared to Fox News’ 43%. Mid-2021 saw viewership drop by more than half while Fox News regained its leading position.

In November 2021, a study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate identified Newsmax among ten fringe publishers responsible for nearly 70% of Facebook interactions involving climate change denial content; Facebook disputed the study’s methodology. That same month, White House correspondent Emerald Robinson falsely asserted that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine contained tracking devices linked to satanic symbolism. Twitter suspended her account due to repeated COVID-19 misinformation violations; Newsmax removed her pending investigation and later announced her contract would not be renewed.

In May 2023, following Fox News’ dismissal of Tucker Carlson, Newsmax experienced another surge in ratings. Viewership during Carlson’s former prime-time slot more than doubled, positioning Newsmax as a challenger to CNN for third place among cable news channels behind MSNBC and Fox. On November 1, 2023, Newsmax placed its live programming behind a YouTube subscription service called "Newsmax+," while continuing to offer a free streaming channel named "Newsmax 2."

In March 2024, The Washington Post reported that a Qatari royal invested $50 million in Newsmax amid the Qatar diplomatic crisis and alleged that network executives instructed staff to moderate coverage related to Qatar—a claim that Newsmax denied.

In April 2024, Newsmax was named in a defamation lawsuit alongside Fox News and InfoWars personality Owen Shroyer after incorrectly identifying an individual as responsible for the 2023 Allen, Texas mall shooting. The plaintiff accused the defendants of recklessly disregarding journalistic standards by labeling him a neo-Nazi murderer without evidence.

2020 election litigation

In December 2020, Dominion executive Eric Coomer filed a defamation suit naming Newsmax as a defendant, alleging that the network had branded him a "traitor," which led to serious death threats against him. By April 2021, Newsmax issued a formal apology and retraction, acknowledging it had "found no proof" backing the accusations directed at Coomer.

Dominion initiated another lawsuit in August 2021, accusing Newsmax of "deliberately and persistently" disseminating false claims of election fraud. Newsmax countered by asserting it merely reported on claims made by public officials and described Dominion's legal action as an attempt to undermine press freedom. On April 9, 2025, a judge in Delaware declared Newsmax’s election coverage defamatory and untrue, with a jury trial scheduled to assess actual malice and damages beginning April 28, 2025.

In November 2021, Smartmatic pursued defamation charges against Newsmax. Efforts by Newsmax to limit the scope of these claims were denied by a Delaware judge in August 2023. The trial was initially set for September 30, 2024; however, the parties reached a confidential settlement on September 26. It was later revealed in March 2025 that Newsmax agreed to a $40 million payout to resolve the dispute.

Initial public offering

Newsmax disclosed on June 10, 2024, its intention to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) slated for late 2024 or early 2025. On September 5, 2024, the firm confirmed plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NMAX" during the first quarter of 2025. By November 2024, Newsmax had secured $100 million through preferred stock sales to accredited investors, subsequently increasing this target to $200 million by January 2025.

The company’s stock made its market debut on March 31, 2025, opening at $10 per share and closing at $83.51—an increase exceeding 700%. The following trading day saw shares close at $234, placing Newsmax’s market value near $30 billion and surpassing that of Fox Corporation.

Nonetheless, on April 2, the share price plunged by 77.5%, ending the day at $52.71. Market analysts likened Newsmax's stock fluctuations to those of a meme stock, drawing parallels with GameStop’s dramatic short squeeze in 2021 due to its swift post-IPO surge and decline.

Reception

Back in 2009, Columbia Journalism Review editor Michael Massing observed that far-right platforms such as Newsmax.com circulated speculative narratives about Barack Obama, including assertions that Bill Ayers authored Dreams From My Father. That year, MarketWatch media analyst Jon Friedman credited CEO Chris Ruddy’s emphasis on profitability rather than ideology for Newsmax’s expansion.

Newsmax’s sway within GOP circles was demonstrated through visits from notable figures like former President Bill Clinton, a personal friend of Ruddy’s, alongside potential presidential contenders including Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney, and Jeb Bush. During the 2012 primaries, U.S. News & World Report recognized Newsmax as a key conservative media force.

An April 2010 cover feature in Talkers Magazine praised Newsmax as an exemplar of multimedia "Media Stations," delivering content across audio, video, digital platforms, and print. Nielsen Online ranked it as the most visited conservative website in 2010 with approximately four million unique monthly visitors.

By 2014, Bloomberg Businessweek profiled Newsmax’s business strategy targeting affluent baby boomers, whose average age was noted as 54.7 years. The company aimed to launch cable and OTT channels that combined political coverage with health and financial news alongside self-help publications and supplements—creating a hybrid model merging media with direct-to-consumer sales.

The Washington Post reported in 2017 on Ruddy’s influential rapport with President Donald Trump, despite Ruddy not holding formal Republican Party membership. This relationship highlighted Newsmax’s strategic positioning within conservative media leadership.

As of 2019, Columbia Journalism Review included Newsmax among roughly fifteen to twenty conservative websites drawing over one million unique visitors monthly alongside outlets like National Review and The Washington Times. Nonetheless, misinformation evaluator NewsGuard assigned Newsmax a low credibility rating of 20 out of 100. The Wikipedia community classifies Newsmax at the lowest reliability tier due to its promotion of unverified conspiracy theories.

Humanix Books

Humanix Books, a division of Newsmax Media based in the United States, focuses on publishing both print and digital books in areas such as health, personal finance, politics, and current affairs. Established in 1969 with the mission to enhance the quality of educational materials, it became part of Newsmax Media in 2012. Shortly after the acquisition, Anthony Ziccardi was named publisher, followed by Mary Glenn taking over in 2015. Adam Keith Pfeffer joined as deputy publisher in 2019.

Among its prominent titles is The ObamaCare Survival Guide authored by Nick J. Tate, which achieved the top position on the New York Times Best Seller list within the Paperback Advice & Miscellaneous category. Humanix Books distributes its publications through Two Rivers Distribution and operates out of its New York City headquarters.

Executives such as Glenn and Pfeffer have played significant roles in guiding the company’s strategic direction and enhancing its presence in the competitive publishing market. The imprint continues to capitalize on the resources of its parent company to broaden its catalog and increase its market penetration.

Newsmax magazine

Newsmax Media produces Newsmax magazine, which delivers insights on politics, current events, health, finance, and lifestyle topics. The publication reaches close to one million readers each month through its paid subscriptions, encompassing both the magazine itself and related newsletters focused on finance and health.

Newsmax TV

Launched in 2014, Newsmax TV is a television news channel created by Newsmax Media to rival Fox News Channel. The network initially offered eight hours of live daily broadcasts and is accessible via Dish Network, DirecTV, as well as free streaming on Newsmax’s official website.

Newsmax Adria

In June 2020, Newsmax Adria was established through a collaboration with United Media to serve most countries of the former Yugoslavia. It aired daily news bulletins titled Dnevnik Newsmax Adria on Nova BH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) alongside an evening show called Pregled dana on Nova S (Serbia). Positioned as a competitor to Telekom Srbija, the outlet frequently covered government corruption stories in Serbia. This operation concluded in October 2022.

In September 2024, Newsmax declared intentions to relaunch operations in Serbia under the name Newsmax Balkans beginning in October.