Newsmax went public on the NYSE on 2025-03-31 and spiked over 500% in its first trading day, consolidating its position as an influential right-wing media outlet that has grown with the Trump-era conservative base.

At a court hearing in the Dominion defamation case, evidence emerged suggesting that Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy played a role in promoting debunked election-fraud claims by scheduling segments with known conspiracy theorists, raising concerns over the network's political influence and media practices.

During a court hearing in a defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems, Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy was scrutinized for his role in promoting debunked election-fraud claims. Evidence presented in court indicated that executives encouraged programming that aired conspiracy theories to boost ratings, despite internal doubts about the veracity of the claims.

Newsmax Media, a conservative cable network, settled a $40 million defamation lawsuit with Smartmatic over false claims about the 2020 presidential election. The settlement, following regulatory filings and court findings that the claims were untrue, highlights the network's role in disseminating misleading political information that bolstered authoritarian narratives.

Newsmax Media, Inc. published an article on March 7, 2025, reporting the Department of Homeland Security's decision to end the TSA's collective bargaining agreement. The coverage emphasizes that ending the union contract was intended to remove bureaucratic hurdles and promote merit-based policies, framing union efforts as obstacles to efficiency. This presentation reinforces a narrative that undermines labor rights and aligns with an authoritarian, anti-union agenda.

OpenSecrets data shows that 4 out of 7 Newsmax Media lobbyists in 2023 and 4 out of 8 in 2024 had previously held government positions. This revolving door phenomenon raises concerns about potential regulatory capture and the undue influence of former public officials on current political decision-making.

A lawsuit filed on July 2, 2024, alleges that Newsmax Media allowed a hostile work environment through the actions of supervisor John Belthoff, who is accused of severe and pervasive sexual harassment against subordinate female employees and guests. The complaint details instances of inappropriate advances and a lack of proper response from HR, culminating in punitive actions against the complainant.

Newsmax faced significant legal repercussions after airing election conspiracy theories following the 2020 election. The company settled a defamation suit with Smartmatic for $40 million and is currently defending itself in a similar suit filed by Dominion Voting Systems. This controversy underscores Newsmax’s role in disseminating misleading information that can fuel authoritarian narratives.

According to data from OpenSecrets, Newsmax Media spent $744,000 on lobbying activities during 2023, demonstrating its active engagement in influencing federal policy. This expenditure aligns with its broader conservative, far-right media stance and reflects corporate efforts to shape political outcomes in ways that may support authoritarian priorities.

According to OpenSecrets data, Newsmax Media spent $744,000 on lobbying efforts during 2023, highlighting its active engagement in political influence activities that may bolster conservative, authoritarian-leaning policies.

Newsmax, a conservative media outlet, made its largest-ever direct political donation of $50,000 to 1820 PAC, a super PAC supporting Senator Susan Collins’ re-election campaign. This donation, coupled with subsequent editorial coverage that promoted Collins without disclosing the financial support, raises concerns about overt political partisanship and media bias.