Several prominent news organizations, including The New York Times, The Associated Press, and Newsmax, have refused to sign a new Defense Department document outlining press rules, potentially leading to the eviction of their reporters from the Pentagon. These outlets argue the policy infringes upon First Amendment rights by restricting access and threatening to punish routine news gathering. The new rules require journalists to acknowledge the policy, which bars access to significant areas of the Pentagon without an escort and allows the Defense Secretary to revoke press access for unauthorized information requests. Pentagon officials maintain the policy establishes “common sense media procedures,” while journalists counter that signing the document implies reporting on unapproved information harms national security, a claim they refute.
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Newsmax has announced it will not sign the Pentagon’s revised media credentialing agreement, becoming the first major outlet to publicly reject the new restrictions. The Pentagon’s updated policy aims to control how information is shared with reporters, but has led to significant pushback from news organizations. The policy change would potentially allow U.S. military personnel to face “adverse consequences” if they make unauthorized disclosures to reporters, thus possibly revoking a reporter’s access. The decision by Newsmax, a right-leaning outlet, may pose a significant challenge to the Trump administration.
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Newsmax has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Fox News, alleging anti-competitive behavior that has stifled its growth. The suit claims Fox coerces distributors through “exclusionary and restrictive agreements” and uses “intimidation tactics,” harming Newsmax’s ability to gain viewers and advertising revenue. Newsmax is seeking a permanent injunction against Fox’s practices and triple damages, claiming significant financial harm. Fox News has responded, denying the allegations and attributing Newsmax’s struggles to “competitive failures.”
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Newsmax has agreed to a $67 million settlement in a defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems, following similar settlements by Fox News Channel and Smartmatic. The court had previously ruled that Newsmax defamed Dominion by spreading false information about its voting equipment. This settlement was reached before a trial could take place, which was revealed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Internal communications from Newsmax demonstrated that the network knew the claims of election fraud were baseless, yet it continued to air them.
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Newsmax commentators expressed strong disapproval of President Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million private jet from Qatar, citing concerns about the appearance of a bribe from a state sponsor of terror. The commentators highlighted the problematic optics of the gift, particularly given Qatar’s ties to Hamas and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While acknowledging Trump’s likely resistance to Qatari influence, the perceived conflict of interest and Qatar’s increased geopolitical influence were deemed deeply troubling. The situation was further complicated by the recent release of an American hostage held by Hamas, leading to speculation about the timing and implications of the gift.
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Newsmax settled a defamation lawsuit with Smartmatic for $40 million, a figure disclosed in a recent financial filing. The settlement resolves claims that Newsmax falsely accused Smartmatic of election fraud during the 2020 election cycle. Newsmax has paid $20 million to date, and offered Smartmatic stock as part of the agreement. This settlement follows similar actions by other news outlets, including One America News, and is part of a broader legal battle examining the intersection of free speech and defamation regarding election misinformation. The case against Fox News is still ongoing.
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Newsmax and Fox News’s unexpected support for the Associated Press (AP) in its standoff with Donald Trump over the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico highlights a fascinating dynamic within the media landscape. Their backing of the AP, a typically neutral news source, reveals a surprising level of pragmatism, even from outlets often criticized for partisan bias.
This unusual alliance stems from a shared concern: the potential for future administrations to suppress news organizations deemed unfavorable. The fear isn’t hypothetical; Newsmax and Fox News are acutely aware of the precarious position they occupy in the current political climate, recognizing that their own editorial stances could become targets for censorship under a different administration.… Continue reading
Newsmax host Rob Finnerty lauded Donald Trump’s swift implementation of numerous executive orders upon his return to the White House, characterizing him as a “dictator” elected by the American people. These orders included efforts to overturn birthright citizenship, deny transgender rights, expand the death penalty, and pardon January 6th rioters. Finnerty celebrated this “shock and awe” approach, suggesting it overwhelmed the mainstream media’s ability to provide thorough coverage. He attributed the public’s support to their having “asked for and voted for” these actions.
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Following Greg Kelly’s on-air criticism of Pete Hegseth’s suitability for Secretary of Defense, Newsmax faced pressure from President-elect Trump’s team. Newsmax subsequently issued a directive to its staff forbidding negative coverage of Hegseth, instructing them to focus solely on positive aspects. This directive, coupled with threats of termination, followed reports that Trump contacted Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy regarding the segment. The network denied Trump’s involvement, though internal sources indicated significant concern.
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Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense is in jeopardy following reports in the New York Times and The New Yorker detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and boorish behavior. While Fox News, Hegseth’s former employer, has largely avoided covering these stories, Newsmax openly calls for his withdrawal. The accusations include emails from Hegseth’s mother condemning his treatment of women and a whistleblower report detailing misconduct at veteran’s groups he led. This silence from Fox News contrasts sharply with Newsmax’s vocal opposition to the nomination.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood