October 11, 2025 • 20 mins
In this special episode of Stories Worth Hearing, host John Quick—who also writes his own national column for Newsmax—sits down with Christopher Ruddy, the founder and CEO behind one of America’s most impactful media success stories.
Founded in 1998, Newsmax began as a small digital publication with a bold mission: to bring trustworthy, engaging journalism to the American people. Today, it has grown into a mainstream media powerhouse, reaching over 60 million homes across the United States and broadcasting in more than 100 countries worldwide. Under Christopher Ruddy’s visionary leadership, Newsmax has become one of the nation’s top networks, known for its dynamic programming, fair reporting, and deep connection with everyday Americans.
As both a proud Newsmax contributor and a longtime media professional, John Quick dives deep into what makes this organization great — its relentless commitment to truth, innovation, and service to its audience. Together, John and Christopher explore the story behind Newsmax’s rise, the principles that have guided its success, and the future of journalism in a rapidly changing world.
From humble beginnings to a global platform, Christopher shares lessons on leadership, perseverance, and staying grounded in purpose. This conversation is a behind-the-scenes look at how Newsmax became a trusted voice for millions and continues to shape the national conversation every day.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone who believes in vision-driven work, this is more than an interview — it’s a story worth hearing.
Check Newsmax out here: https://www.newsmax.com/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to Stories Worth Hearing.
I'm your host, John Quick, and today's guest is a man who built
one of the most powerful news organizations in America from
the ground up, Christopher Ruddy, The founder and chief
executive officer of Newsmax, Christopher Ruddy is one of the
most influential figures in modern media.
In 1998, he founded Newsmax witha clear and ambitious mission to
(00:21):
deliver credible, engaging and balanced journalism that
connects with everyday Americans.
What started as a small online News magazine from his apartment
has grown into a mainstream media network, reaching over 40
million households nationwide. Ranking among the top cable news
channels in the United States, Newsmax is now a fixture on
television, digital and print platforms, producing breaking
(00:44):
news, in depth analysis and original programming that rivals
any major network. Under Ruddy's leadership,
Newsmax has become known for itsdynamic programming and
commitment to covering the stories that matter most to the
nation's future. The network's lineup of anchors
and commentators features respected voices from across the
country, combining serious journalism with open, thoughtful
(01:07):
debate. Beyond television, newsmax.com
ranks among the most visited political news websites in
America, continuing the company's tradition of digital
innovation and direct engagementwith its audience.
Before launching Newsmax, Christopher worked as an
investigative journalist for theNew York Post and Pittsburgh
Tribune Review, where his groundbreaking reporting gained
(01:28):
national attention. His first hand experience in
journalism, combined with his entrepreneurial Dr. helped him
build a media company that has transformed how millions of
Americans consume news today. In this conversation, we'll talk
about how he built Newsmax from an idea into a household name,
the principles that shaped his leadership, the lessons he's
(01:49):
learned along the way, and his vision for the future of media
in America. This is a story about courage,
conviction, and the power of believing in a mission, and it's
definitely a story worth hearing.
Let's dive in. Chris, thank you so much for
joining us. I'm excited to have you on the
show. Don, thank you for having me.
Well, this would be fun. I think it'll be fun for my
(02:09):
listeners to hear a little bit about the secret salsa behind
the scenes of starting Newsmax. So take me.
Back. I want you to know that I'm
going to be quick today. I like, no pun intended.
Well, take me back to what firstinspired you to start Newsmax.
I know, I know that there's a lot of work that's put into it.
(02:29):
You seem to be getting more and more popular every single month.
Tell me about what it looked like when you first started it.
Why'd you start it? Well, I would say that, you
know, we had the same problem wehad 25 years ago, 27 years ago
when I started Newsmax, althoughit's worse today than it was
then. The extreme bias in the quote UN
(02:52):
quote mainstream media, establishment media was serious
then. Now it's severe.
Now it's off the charts, but when I started, I felt I was a
journalist. I had covered the Clinton White
House, I had done other other work at the New York Post, the
Pittsburgh paper, the Hoover Institution, and I felt that
(03:12):
there was a need for another media.
When I saw that when the Internet started in the 90s,
there were a lot of liberal sites, but not a many
conservatives. Very impressed by a number of
websites that came up. So I started Newsmax and as a
digital media company. So that's 1998 and I raised
about $15 million to build the company and I lost about 13 1/2
(03:37):
before I turned a profit. Never need any money for another
15 years until I started this TVchannel called Newsmax.
And now we're one of the leadingcable news channels in the
United States. We've overcome amazing
obstacles. When you first launched, did you
ever imagine that it would grow into what it is today?
It seems to be 1 of, if not the ME, the premier conservative
(04:01):
news channels in America. You know, I think it's probably
the most important shadow in a way because we're we're the only
one that's consistently true to our principles.
I think thoughts had been good for a long time, but thoughts is
changing. I think you're going to continue
to see changes as a network. For instance, they've embraced
climate change. I mean, I think this is this is
(04:24):
part of a whole woke. You have to believe everything
in the climate change ideology. Now, if you're a Fox employee,
they had a policy that anybody that didn't do a COVID vaccine
at Fox was fired. I think that was wrong.
I think people should and could have conscientious objections.
I think the vaccine was OK at the time.
It was a national emergency. But you go through this long
(04:47):
list of things, they don't like Donald Trump, right?
They opposed him in 16. They opposed him in 20, They
opposed him again in 24. He keeps winning.
And so, you know, the, the we'remore in tune, I think, with the
populist base of the Republican Party, the conservative base of
the party. So how?
Have you kept that kind of through line to not compromise
(05:11):
the direction and integrity of Newsmax when it seems like all
the other channels just kind of cave in eventually?
Well, you have to stand for something and you have to be
willing to, you know, if we wentmore woke, I guess we'd get more
advertising, right? But you say, look, there's,
there's limits. We're not going to just do
something. We're not going to sell out.
(05:32):
We're going to stand for something.
I think we have a long history, almost 30 years of standing for
something. So.
And President Trump says he likes Newsmax.
I think it's his favorite now. He talks about a lot.
He tells me all the time. I just spoke to him this past
week how much he likes Rob Finnerty, Rob Schmidt, Greg
(05:53):
Kelly, Carl Higbee, that he's watching all of our shows.
He said openly people should be watching.
And Don Junior went public and said Fox is bad.
Fox had banned him. Fox had banned the president,
Fox and banned Charlie Kirk. Yeah.
What? So what?
Tell me your thoughts on CharlieKirk.
We live in a day where you know we can no longer.
(06:16):
Seems like people lose their minds based off conversation and
people are being murdered for having a difference of opinion
that that sent shock waves kind of through the conservative
community. What's been your thoughts on it?
Charlie was a friend of mine. I knew him well.
I met him almost 10 years ago atthe Trump Hotel when he was
(06:37):
starting with the Trump administrator, working closely
with the president and Don Junior, he had started a few
years earlier. I was very impressed with him.
And basically Newsmax was his platform.
And when he was banned, he's told me many times how much he
appreciated Newsmax that when hewas bandwidth from Fox that he
could go on Newsmax and get get turning points news on it.
(06:58):
Look, Charlie was an amazing manAnd you know, he didn't go to
college. He did briefly.
He went to college. Somebody said, well, he didn't
go to college. He didn't go to college because
he was a genius. And he he obviously went to a
small Midwestern school and feltout of place, but he was
brilliant. He's smarter than most kids that
ever graduated from college. So, you know, he had an amazing,
(07:22):
I liked his faith-based as a Christian.
I think it was tremendous that he was open about his views on
it. And that to me, and I don't
think gut defense Charlie felt like he was trying to convert
people to Christianity. I think he was trying to say
that America was was a great country because of our
judeo-christian ethics and principles and the founding
(07:42):
principles of the nation. There's an effort by some
libertarians, younger conservative secularists to get
away from that. I think it's a dangerous thing
because our freedoms came out ofthe Crucible of faith and now
that it's under siege in so manyways.
So I really admire that. We've done a two books, 1 was
(08:03):
Pagan threat. Believe it or not, Newsmax is a
publishing house. We've had a whole bunch of New
York Times bestsellers and Charlie wrote the foreword for
our last book by Pastor Lucas Miles called Pagan and Charlie's
forward. It's very an ominous because he
talks about the terrifying dangers that we all face and
that the secularism was going todestroy locism, would destroy
(08:25):
America if it wasn't stopped. And that book is available on
Amazon, Pagan Threat or on a website calledpaganthreat.com.
Dick Morris, who worked closely with Charlie and the Trump
campaign, has a book detailing how they work together to help
get from elected called The RealCharlie Kirk.
That's on Amazon right now. Great book.
(08:46):
Dick Morrison famous and that's a that's I got a website
calledcharlie411.com. So check out those books.
They're really good and I think they really give you a sense of
what Charlie was all about. Nice.
I'll put all the links in the tothe podcast description.
Your friends with Donald Trump, President Trump, why do you
think he relates to conservatives so quickly or just
(09:10):
the average, the average American you've, you know, you
get a talk to him, spend time with them.
Most people don't ever get to dothat.
Give us a little behind the scenes on why you think Donald
Trump's can kind of cut through all the BS and make people feel
like they want to root for him no matter what.
Yeah, well, I've known him for almost 30 years, probably talk
(09:31):
to him once a week for every week for 25 years.
So I know the guy pretty well, very well.
I was there with the good times.I was there in the bad times.
And I think he's a very amazing guy.
He's superhuman in his capabilities and abilities.
So, you know, not everybody is. I think that's a gift from God.
So not everybody has that and can ever perform.
(09:54):
You can't read the book and be Donald Trump.
Read the book and mimic some of the things Trump does and try to
do that. And some of them you can be very
good for your career in businessand success.
You know the the word integrity means you're integral.
You know, if somebody is nice atthe office but mean at home,
(10:17):
they don't have real integrity. In my mind, integrity means
you're the same person pretty much wherever you go, whatever
your circumstances. Now, you may be angry at some
points and happy at others, but you're a similar person and you
show those similar emotions in different in different venues.
And I think Trump has that type of emotional integrity where and
that's what resonates with people.
(10:38):
He's very real. And he's not a phony, you know,
And he talks to me just like he talks to the public.
Now, sometimes when you capture on TV the way the camera is and
the stage and the comments, people think he's hard hitting,
he's mean, he's this and that. When they meet him in person,
they realize some of it's quite theatrical.
(10:59):
And I've never had a person thatmet Trump.
I've introduced him to many people, supporters, non
supporters. You know, I'm one of the few
people bring over somebody he doesn't like just just so I can
see his reaction. But every person I've ever
brought over to see him, they'vealways said to me, wow, he's
nicer than I thought. He's he's such a nice man.
(11:22):
He's so interesting. He's so charming.
Not necessarily something you get watching, you know, White
House press conference. He's in a very combative mode in
those situations. He still feels like he's like a
a corner in the White House or by the press and he's hitting
back. So I think bad about him and
(11:43):
he's just, he comes from his family.
We're very wealthy real estate people from Queens, NY, but they
came from middle class roots. They came from humble
beginnings. His father's family were
immigrants to the country and his mother was an immigrant.
So I think he appreciates the American dream in a way that
most people don't. What do you?
(12:04):
Think, you know, looking back, Newsmax went public.
It's like a, you know, you've spent 30 years of your life
building this thing that is now a ginormous media company.
What are some of the things thatyou look back on and are those
pivotal moments that helped propel you to get to where
you're at now? I don't do a lot of looking
(12:24):
back, I think the toughest time we had, we were taken off
DIRECTV. Yeah.
And everybody knows about that battle.
And I think, you know, we we have a good relationship with
DIRECTV now. I think they're in a better
place. We're in a better place after
all of that. And we like DIRECTV, but it was,
it was at the time a bit of a battle.
(12:46):
And I think that was a turning point for us in a way and showed
our resolve and our supporters and viewers really stuck with
us. We're probably two or three
times larger than we were at that time.
And in fact, we've gotten on every major cable system.
So if you can't find us, look for us.
Hulu just added us this past summer.
We're on YouTube TV, we're on Google, we're on Comcast,
(13:10):
Spectrum DIRECTV, Dish, all those systems.
And you can, we have a free app where you can watch us on the
streaming channel anywhere in the world.
You just download the Newsmax app and you can just watch it.
And then if you want, you can upgrade to get the cable channel
as well at a very small fee. So we're excited about that.
We have a lot of subscribers to that.
(13:31):
And again, the audience has beengrowing very significantly.
The Reuters Institute did a study job last year and they
asked Americans what are the topmedia brands that you go to for
news and they said there were 12major news brands in the United
States and one of them was Newsmax.
That's. Great.
It's amazing. Because we're relatively new,
(13:53):
you know, it's the New York Times and ABC News.
These guys have been around for 150 years, whatever.
And we didn't have the billions of dollars, you know, you know
what we had? We had people power.
We had you and people in Alaska and people across the country
that were tuning into Newsmax and they go to newsmax.com and
they go, wow, I like this. They go to our podcasts or, or,
(14:16):
or to our app and go to our channel and it's addictive.
And so the audience numbers havebeen growing.
And I think it's really important because there's not,
there's not more conservative media.
There's less conservative media as a result of all of this
censorship and Big Tech consolidate.
(14:36):
It's really incumbent on us to continue what we're doing.
So what's? Next for Newsmax, you'd like to
look forward. You're a visionary leader.
What's the big dream for Newsmaxin the next 5-10 years?
Well, we still. Want to just, we're, we always
say we're all things to old people.
We're on all platforms and we'reon podcast, word radio to a
(14:57):
degree. We're in TV, we're streaming,
we're in print. I have a print magazine, Newsmax
magazine, which is very popular.We have so many things going on.
We really developed this idea that a media company is really a
media station that emanates on different platforms.
And I think we were the leaders in that.
(15:17):
And I think there's battles ahead.
Even though the Trump administration, the Trump FCC
under Brendan Carr, is moving togive the major networks and big
station groups the right to reach 100% of the US market,
it's a very dangerous thing they're doing because the big
media companies are almost all opposed to Trump and all opposed
(15:38):
to conservatives. And local news is where most
people get their 10 news. They don't get it from the
Internet because there's no newspapers left really anymore.
They're very few. And So what Reagan did in the
90s was, I'm sorry, in the 80s Reagan said, look, we'll let
these TV networks like ABC and CBS go out, but they can't own
(16:00):
the stations in more than 25% ofUS homes, reaching 25% of US
homes. And he knew intuitively, if you
let those big networks from New York, the balance of power will
be all left wing in the country.And so over time, that cap from
25 to 39 now, Brendan, and the FCC is trying to move it to
(16:20):
100%. Dang.
It these. Guys all opposed President
Trump. They're all bad actors, pretty
much. The one group now seeking A
merger to go to 80% is is Next Star.
Next Star owns News Nation, which is a left wing news
network with Chris Cuomo and Ashley Banfield and Elizabeth
(16:40):
Vargas, Dan Abrams, all liberals.
They've been bashing Trump and Newsmax for four years and now
they want to get 100% reach for their for their TV station
group. It's a very dangerous move.
We're encouraging people to calltheir congressmen and senators
telling them not to oppose the FCC cap lift and and not allow
(17:03):
these networks to get to merge. Yeah, well, I want to be mindful
your time. You're you're busy, man.
And you know, I'm a huge fan of Newsmax, obviously.
I have a column there. And I think that you guys are
doing amazing things. You know, I think when I think
about everyday, you know, I liveup here in Alaska just everyday,
(17:23):
normal people, most everyday normal person that I know
watches Newsmax. And I think there's something to
be said about that. Last question before we head
off. Do you have any advice for folks
that are just starting out? I mean, you hustled and grinded
and started this company. I think I read you started it
with 25,000 bucks and an idea. And So what kind of advice would
(17:46):
you give folks that are maybe just starting out?
Maybe they've got a couple 1000 followers on Instagram or
they're going to start their ownpodcast or you know, it's tough
out there and you got it, you did it.
What's advice you give to someone?
I think. The race is typically won not by
the fastest run or the slowest runner, but the runner that
never gives up, right? So you have to don't give in too
(18:08):
early. Know that there's a there's the
light, the sunrise is just around the corner.
And so, you know, I think most businesses don't succeed because
people give up too early. And then if you finding you're
not thinking things are working,innovate, do something
different. Or give me an example.
We didn't see. We can sell banner ads in the
early days of the Internet. Even then, the liberals were
(18:30):
blocking us. So we started a publication that
made a lot of money called Newsmax Magazine.
Nobody was doing it. Now, some people started doing
magazines after we started doingit with the mat with their
websites. Now that's a small part of our
business, but at that time that was a very critical part of our
business. And TV, we're willing to
innovate, you know, on the streaming.
So don't give up and, and just being honest in your business
(18:54):
dealings. You know, when I was losing
money as a businessman, I would show people how I let you know
this is where we're losing. But here's where the revenues
are rising and at some point we will turn a profit.
Now we're a public company. We're in the New York Stock
Exchange, and I might add, if you want to join our news
revolution, you can find out more.
(19:15):
Just go talk to your stock advisor or go to
newsmaxinvest.com. And we think the share price is
is a good price and that we think the future of Newsmax is
going to be very strong. Nice.
Well, thank you so much for joining us.
We wish you nothing but success,my hat.
Is off to you through the years you kept in very good contact
(19:36):
and you follow up on things and I don't do a lot of podcasts,
but when you asked I said I'm going to do John's well I.
Am a huge fan of you and Newsmaxand and it's been fun to see you
continue to grow every year. I mean, I feel like Newsmax, the
Sky's the limit for it because you've kept your guys's through
line. You have a compromised on who
(19:59):
you are and what you are try andyou haven't tried to sway what
you, you know, your beliefs in being a conservative in America.
So I appreciate what you do and we hope you have a great rest of
your day and I'll send you all the links in.
My regards to the great people of Alaska.
You're at the front lines of freedom.
(20:20):
Awesome. Thanks so much and appreciate
you coming on. Thank you.
John, God bless.
Welcome to Stories Worth Hearing.
I'm your host, John Quick, and today's guest is a man who built
one of the most powerful news organizations in America from
the ground up, Christopher Ruddy, The founder and chief
executive officer of Newsmax, Christopher Ruddy is one of the
most influential figures in modern media.
In 1998, he founded Newsmax witha clear and ambitious mission to
(00:21):
deliver credible, engaging and balanced journalism that
connects with everyday Americans.
What started as a small online News magazine from his apartment
has grown into a mainstream media network, reaching over 40
million households nationwide. Ranking among the top cable news
channels in the United States, Newsmax is now a fixture on
television, digital and print platforms, producing breaking
(00:44):
news, in depth analysis and original programming that rivals
any major network. Under Ruddy's leadership,
Newsmax has become known for itsdynamic programming and
commitment to covering the stories that matter most to the
nation's future. The network's lineup of anchors
and commentators features respected voices from across the
country, combining serious journalism with open, thoughtful
(01:07):
debate. Beyond television, newsmax.com
ranks among the most visited political news websites in
America, continuing the company's tradition of digital
innovation and direct engagementwith its audience.
Before launching Newsmax, Christopher worked as an
investigative journalist for theNew York Post and Pittsburgh
Tribune Review, where his groundbreaking reporting gained
(01:28):
national attention. His first hand experience in
journalism, combined with his entrepreneurial Dr. helped him
build a media company that has transformed how millions of
Americans consume news today. In this conversation, we'll talk
about how he built Newsmax from an idea into a household name,
the principles that shaped his leadership, the lessons he's
(01:49):
learned along the way, and his vision for the future of media
in America. This is a story about courage,
conviction, and the power of believing in a mission, and it's
definitely a story worth hearing.
Let's dive in. Chris, thank you so much for
joining us. I'm excited to have you on the
show. Don, thank you for having me.
Well, this would be fun. I think it'll be fun for my
(02:09):
listeners to hear a little bit about the secret salsa behind
the scenes of starting Newsmax. So take me.
Back. I want you to know that I'm
going to be quick today. I like, no pun intended.
Well, take me back to what firstinspired you to start Newsmax.
I know, I know that there's a lot of work that's put into it.
(02:29):
You seem to be getting more and more popular every single month.
Tell me about what it looked like when you first started it.
Why'd you start it? Well, I would say that, you
know, we had the same problem wehad 25 years ago, 27 years ago
when I started Newsmax, althoughit's worse today than it was
then. The extreme bias in the quote UN
(02:52):
quote mainstream media, establishment media was serious
then. Now it's severe.
Now it's off the charts, but when I started, I felt I was a
journalist. I had covered the Clinton White
House, I had done other other work at the New York Post, the
Pittsburgh paper, the Hoover Institution, and I felt that
(03:12):
there was a need for another media.
When I saw that when the Internet started in the 90s,
there were a lot of liberal sites, but not a many
conservatives. Very impressed by a number of
websites that came up. So I started Newsmax and as a
digital media company. So that's 1998 and I raised
about $15 million to build the company and I lost about 13 1/2
(03:37):
before I turned a profit. Never need any money for another
15 years until I started this TVchannel called Newsmax.
And now we're one of the leadingcable news channels in the
United States. We've overcome amazing
obstacles. When you first launched, did you
ever imagine that it would grow into what it is today?
It seems to be 1 of, if not the ME, the premier conservative
(04:01):
news channels in America. You know, I think it's probably
the most important shadow in a way because we're we're the only
one that's consistently true to our principles.
I think thoughts had been good for a long time, but thoughts is
changing. I think you're going to continue
to see changes as a network. For instance, they've embraced
climate change. I mean, I think this is this is
(04:24):
part of a whole woke. You have to believe everything
in the climate change ideology. Now, if you're a Fox employee,
they had a policy that anybody that didn't do a COVID vaccine
at Fox was fired. I think that was wrong.
I think people should and could have conscientious objections.
I think the vaccine was OK at the time.
It was a national emergency. But you go through this long
(04:47):
list of things, they don't like Donald Trump, right?
They opposed him in 16. They opposed him in 20, They
opposed him again in 24. He keeps winning.
And so, you know, the, the we'remore in tune, I think, with the
populist base of the Republican Party, the conservative base of
the party. So how?
Have you kept that kind of through line to not compromise
(05:11):
the direction and integrity of Newsmax when it seems like all
the other channels just kind of cave in eventually?
Well, you have to stand for something and you have to be
willing to, you know, if we wentmore woke, I guess we'd get more
advertising, right? But you say, look, there's,
there's limits. We're not going to just do
something. We're not going to sell out.
(05:32):
We're going to stand for something.
I think we have a long history, almost 30 years of standing for
something. So.
And President Trump says he likes Newsmax.
I think it's his favorite now. He talks about a lot.
He tells me all the time. I just spoke to him this past
week how much he likes Rob Finnerty, Rob Schmidt, Greg
(05:53):
Kelly, Carl Higbee, that he's watching all of our shows.
He said openly people should be watching.
And Don Junior went public and said Fox is bad.
Fox had banned him. Fox had banned the president,
Fox and banned Charlie Kirk. Yeah.
What? So what?
Tell me your thoughts on CharlieKirk.
We live in a day where you know we can no longer.
(06:16):
Seems like people lose their minds based off conversation and
people are being murdered for having a difference of opinion
that that sent shock waves kind of through the conservative
community. What's been your thoughts on it?
Charlie was a friend of mine. I knew him well.
I met him almost 10 years ago atthe Trump Hotel when he was
(06:37):
starting with the Trump administrator, working closely
with the president and Don Junior, he had started a few
years earlier. I was very impressed with him.
And basically Newsmax was his platform.
And when he was banned, he's told me many times how much he
appreciated Newsmax that when hewas bandwidth from Fox that he
could go on Newsmax and get get turning points news on it.
(06:58):
Look, Charlie was an amazing manAnd you know, he didn't go to
college. He did briefly.
He went to college. Somebody said, well, he didn't
go to college. He didn't go to college because
he was a genius. And he he obviously went to a
small Midwestern school and feltout of place, but he was
brilliant. He's smarter than most kids that
ever graduated from college. So, you know, he had an amazing,
(07:22):
I liked his faith-based as a Christian.
I think it was tremendous that he was open about his views on
it. And that to me, and I don't
think gut defense Charlie felt like he was trying to convert
people to Christianity. I think he was trying to say
that America was was a great country because of our
judeo-christian ethics and principles and the founding
(07:42):
principles of the nation. There's an effort by some
libertarians, younger conservative secularists to get
away from that. I think it's a dangerous thing
because our freedoms came out ofthe Crucible of faith and now
that it's under siege in so manyways.
So I really admire that. We've done a two books, 1 was
(08:03):
Pagan threat. Believe it or not, Newsmax is a
publishing house. We've had a whole bunch of New
York Times bestsellers and Charlie wrote the foreword for
our last book by Pastor Lucas Miles called Pagan and Charlie's
forward. It's very an ominous because he
talks about the terrifying dangers that we all face and
that the secularism was going todestroy locism, would destroy
(08:25):
America if it wasn't stopped. And that book is available on
Amazon, Pagan Threat or on a website calledpaganthreat.com.
Dick Morris, who worked closely with Charlie and the Trump
campaign, has a book detailing how they work together to help
get from elected called The RealCharlie Kirk.
That's on Amazon right now. Great book.
(08:46):
Dick Morrison famous and that's a that's I got a website
calledcharlie411.com. So check out those books.
They're really good and I think they really give you a sense of
what Charlie was all about. Nice.
I'll put all the links in the tothe podcast description.
Your friends with Donald Trump, President Trump, why do you
think he relates to conservatives so quickly or just
(09:10):
the average, the average American you've, you know, you
get a talk to him, spend time with them.
Most people don't ever get to dothat.
Give us a little behind the scenes on why you think Donald
Trump's can kind of cut through all the BS and make people feel
like they want to root for him no matter what.
Yeah, well, I've known him for almost 30 years, probably talk
(09:31):
to him once a week for every week for 25 years.
So I know the guy pretty well, very well.
I was there with the good times.I was there in the bad times.
And I think he's a very amazing guy.
He's superhuman in his capabilities and abilities.
So, you know, not everybody is. I think that's a gift from God.
So not everybody has that and can ever perform.
(09:54):
You can't read the book and be Donald Trump.
Read the book and mimic some of the things Trump does and try to
do that. And some of them you can be very
good for your career in businessand success.
You know the the word integrity means you're integral.
You know, if somebody is nice atthe office but mean at home,
(10:17):
they don't have real integrity. In my mind, integrity means
you're the same person pretty much wherever you go, whatever
your circumstances. Now, you may be angry at some
points and happy at others, but you're a similar person and you
show those similar emotions in different in different venues.
And I think Trump has that type of emotional integrity where and
that's what resonates with people.
(10:38):
He's very real. And he's not a phony, you know,
And he talks to me just like he talks to the public.
Now, sometimes when you capture on TV the way the camera is and
the stage and the comments, people think he's hard hitting,
he's mean, he's this and that. When they meet him in person,
they realize some of it's quite theatrical.
(10:59):
And I've never had a person thatmet Trump.
I've introduced him to many people, supporters, non
supporters. You know, I'm one of the few
people bring over somebody he doesn't like just just so I can
see his reaction. But every person I've ever
brought over to see him, they'vealways said to me, wow, he's
nicer than I thought. He's he's such a nice man.
(11:22):
He's so interesting. He's so charming.
Not necessarily something you get watching, you know, White
House press conference. He's in a very combative mode in
those situations. He still feels like he's like a
a corner in the White House or by the press and he's hitting
back. So I think bad about him and
(11:43):
he's just, he comes from his family.
We're very wealthy real estate people from Queens, NY, but they
came from middle class roots. They came from humble
beginnings. His father's family were
immigrants to the country and his mother was an immigrant.
So I think he appreciates the American dream in a way that
most people don't. What do you?
(12:04):
Think, you know, looking back, Newsmax went public.
It's like a, you know, you've spent 30 years of your life
building this thing that is now a ginormous media company.
What are some of the things thatyou look back on and are those
pivotal moments that helped propel you to get to where
you're at now? I don't do a lot of looking
(12:24):
back, I think the toughest time we had, we were taken off
DIRECTV. Yeah.
And everybody knows about that battle.
And I think, you know, we we have a good relationship with
DIRECTV now. I think they're in a better
place. We're in a better place after
all of that. And we like DIRECTV, but it was,
it was at the time a bit of a battle.
(12:46):
And I think that was a turning point for us in a way and showed
our resolve and our supporters and viewers really stuck with
us. We're probably two or three
times larger than we were at that time.
And in fact, we've gotten on every major cable system.
So if you can't find us, look for us.
Hulu just added us this past summer.
We're on YouTube TV, we're on Google, we're on Comcast,
(13:10):
Spectrum DIRECTV, Dish, all those systems.
And you can, we have a free app where you can watch us on the
streaming channel anywhere in the world.
You just download the Newsmax app and you can just watch it.
And then if you want, you can upgrade to get the cable channel
as well at a very small fee. So we're excited about that.
We have a lot of subscribers to that.
(13:31):
And again, the audience has beengrowing very significantly.
The Reuters Institute did a study job last year and they
asked Americans what are the topmedia brands that you go to for
news and they said there were 12major news brands in the United
States and one of them was Newsmax.
That's. Great.
It's amazing. Because we're relatively new,
(13:53):
you know, it's the New York Times and ABC News.
These guys have been around for 150 years, whatever.
And we didn't have the billions of dollars, you know, you know
what we had? We had people power.
We had you and people in Alaska and people across the country
that were tuning into Newsmax and they go to newsmax.com and
they go, wow, I like this. They go to our podcasts or, or,
(14:16):
or to our app and go to our channel and it's addictive.
And so the audience numbers havebeen growing.
And I think it's really important because there's not,
there's not more conservative media.
There's less conservative media as a result of all of this
censorship and Big Tech consolidate.
(14:36):
It's really incumbent on us to continue what we're doing.
So what's? Next for Newsmax, you'd like to
look forward. You're a visionary leader.
What's the big dream for Newsmaxin the next 5-10 years?
Well, we still. Want to just, we're, we always
say we're all things to old people.
We're on all platforms and we'reon podcast, word radio to a
(14:57):
degree. We're in TV, we're streaming,
we're in print. I have a print magazine, Newsmax
magazine, which is very popular.We have so many things going on.
We really developed this idea that a media company is really a
media station that emanates on different platforms.
And I think we were the leaders in that.
(15:17):
And I think there's battles ahead.
Even though the Trump administration, the Trump FCC
under Brendan Carr, is moving togive the major networks and big
station groups the right to reach 100% of the US market,
it's a very dangerous thing they're doing because the big
media companies are almost all opposed to Trump and all opposed
(15:38):
to conservatives. And local news is where most
people get their 10 news. They don't get it from the
Internet because there's no newspapers left really anymore.
They're very few. And So what Reagan did in the
90s was, I'm sorry, in the 80s Reagan said, look, we'll let
these TV networks like ABC and CBS go out, but they can't own
(16:00):
the stations in more than 25% ofUS homes, reaching 25% of US
homes. And he knew intuitively, if you
let those big networks from New York, the balance of power will
be all left wing in the country.And so over time, that cap from
25 to 39 now, Brendan, and the FCC is trying to move it to
(16:20):
100%. Dang.
It these. Guys all opposed President
Trump. They're all bad actors, pretty
much. The one group now seeking A
merger to go to 80% is is Next Star.
Next Star owns News Nation, which is a left wing news
network with Chris Cuomo and Ashley Banfield and Elizabeth
(16:40):
Vargas, Dan Abrams, all liberals.
They've been bashing Trump and Newsmax for four years and now
they want to get 100% reach for their for their TV station
group. It's a very dangerous move.
We're encouraging people to calltheir congressmen and senators
telling them not to oppose the FCC cap lift and and not allow
(17:03):
these networks to get to merge. Yeah, well, I want to be mindful
your time. You're you're busy, man.
And you know, I'm a huge fan of Newsmax, obviously.
I have a column there. And I think that you guys are
doing amazing things. You know, I think when I think
about everyday, you know, I liveup here in Alaska just everyday,
(17:23):
normal people, most everyday normal person that I know
watches Newsmax. And I think there's something to
be said about that. Last question before we head
off. Do you have any advice for folks
that are just starting out? I mean, you hustled and grinded
and started this company. I think I read you started it
with 25,000 bucks and an idea. And So what kind of advice would
(17:46):
you give folks that are maybe just starting out?
Maybe they've got a couple 1000 followers on Instagram or
they're going to start their ownpodcast or you know, it's tough
out there and you got it, you did it.
What's advice you give to someone?
I think. The race is typically won not by
the fastest run or the slowest runner, but the runner that
never gives up, right? So you have to don't give in too
(18:08):
early. Know that there's a there's the
light, the sunrise is just around the corner.
And so, you know, I think most businesses don't succeed because
people give up too early. And then if you finding you're
not thinking things are working,innovate, do something
different. Or give me an example.
We didn't see. We can sell banner ads in the
early days of the Internet. Even then, the liberals were
(18:30):
blocking us. So we started a publication that
made a lot of money called Newsmax Magazine.
Nobody was doing it. Now, some people started doing
magazines after we started doingit with the mat with their
websites. Now that's a small part of our
business, but at that time that was a very critical part of our
business. And TV, we're willing to
innovate, you know, on the streaming.
So don't give up and, and just being honest in your business
(18:54):
dealings. You know, when I was losing
money as a businessman, I would show people how I let you know
this is where we're losing. But here's where the revenues
are rising and at some point we will turn a profit.
Now we're a public company. We're in the New York Stock
Exchange, and I might add, if you want to join our news
revolution, you can find out more.
(19:15):
Just go talk to your stock advisor or go to
newsmaxinvest.com. And we think the share price is
is a good price and that we think the future of Newsmax is
going to be very strong. Nice.
Well, thank you so much for joining us.
We wish you nothing but success,my hat.
Is off to you through the years you kept in very good contact
(19:36):
and you follow up on things and I don't do a lot of podcasts,
but when you asked I said I'm going to do John's well I.
Am a huge fan of you and Newsmaxand and it's been fun to see you
continue to grow every year. I mean, I feel like Newsmax, the
Sky's the limit for it because you've kept your guys's through
line. You have a compromised on who
(19:59):
you are and what you are try andyou haven't tried to sway what
you, you know, your beliefs in being a conservative in America.
So I appreciate what you do and we hope you have a great rest of
your day and I'll send you all the links in.
My regards to the great people of Alaska.
You're at the front lines of freedom.
(20:20):
Awesome. Thanks so much and appreciate
you coming on. Thank you.
John, God bless.
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