Christopher Ruddy’s rise from a working-class upbringing in Nassau County to the top of the Conservative media world is a story of vision, perseverance, and a deep connection to his Long Island roots. As the founder and CEO of Newsmax Media, Ruddy has reshaped the American media landscape to build one of the largest and most influential Conservative news organizations in the country. But despite his national stature, his journey is inseparable from the neighborhoods, institutions, and values of New York—and in particular Nassau County—that shaped him.
Born in Mineola in 1965, Ruddy was the 12th of 14 children in a large Catholic family. His father, a respected Nassau County police lieutenant, was known for his dedication to public service. That spirit would influence Chris from a young age. Raised in a modest but close-knit household, he learned the value of discipline, integrity, and community involvement, core values that would later define his journalistic career and business leadership. He attended my alma mater, Chaminade High School, a prestigious Catholic school known for its rigorous academics and strong sense of mission. There, Ruddy developed a love of history, literature, and public policy. He later attended St. John’s University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1987 with a degree in History. St. John’s, with its Vincentian tradition of service, helped solidify Ruddy’s commitment to using information and education as tools to empower others. He went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the London School of Economics, further broadening his intellectual and global perspective. Even as he studied overseas, he never lost his connection to New York, especially Long Island.
After working his way through college by tending bar at King Umberto’s in Elmont, Ruddy’s journalism career began at the New York Post. His work quickly gained attention for its fearlessness and sharp political insight. From there, he moved to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, where Ruddy developed a national profile, especially through his reporting on high-profile controversies involving the Clinton administration in the 1990s. Ruddy became known for his in-depth analysis into stories that the mainstream media either ignored or covered lightly. His approach was aggressive but rooted in research and a desire to offer alternative viewpoints. That passion would eventually inspire him to create a media outlet of his own.
In 1998, at a time when the internet was still in its infancy as a media platform, Ruddy launched Newsmax.com with a modest $25,000 investment. Initially, an online news site providing Conservative commentary and investigative journalism, Newsmax grew quickly, fueled by a growing audience hungry for alternatives to the mainstream press. What started as a small digital outlet evolved into Newsmax Media, Inc., a multi-platform media empire encompassing television, print, and online publications. In 2014, Ruddy launched Newsmax TV, a cable news channel, offering Conservative news and commentary to a broad national audience. The network has since gained millions of viewers, especially during and after the Trump presidency, when many conservatives turned to Newsmax for what they saw as a more loyal voice than Fox News. By 2025, Newsmax had firmly established itself as the fourth-largest cable news channel in the U.S., reaching more than 70 million homes. Just last week, the company went public on the New York Stock Exchange, experiencing a staggering first-day increase in share value, and closing at over $83 per share. The IPO valued the company at over $10 billion, instantly making Chris Ruddy a billionaire, with his holdings in Newsmax stock reportedly worth more than $9 billion. This stunning success confirmed what many had come to realize: Newsmax is no longer a niche outlet; it is a major force in American media.
Despite his national prominence and global reach, Chris Ruddy never strayed far—figuratively or emotionally—from his Long Island roots. His upbringing in Nassau County continues to inform both his values and his worldview. Growing up just miles from Sagamore Hill, the beloved home of President Theodore Roosevelt, Ruddy developed an early fascination with history and leadership. Today, he’s a member of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, and often draws inspiration from Roosevelt’s legacy of American strength, civic responsibility, and reform. Ruddy has also remained close to many local institutions and causes. He supports educational and historical initiatives in New York and has spoken often about how growing up in a working-class family in Nassau County instilled the work ethic and entrepreneurial drive that push him to succeed. In interviews, Ruddy has credited his formative years on Long Island with shaping his approach to media. “You grow up here and you see real people, working people. They care about their communities, their families, their country. That’s who I built Newsmax for,” he once said.
Beyond the media spotlight, Ruddy has demonstrated a consistent interest in philanthropy and civic engagement. He has contributed to charitable efforts supporting education, veterans, public policy research, and medical causes. He has also served on the board of the Clinton Foundation, a fact that surprises some but underscores his complex and pragmatic approach to politics. Though he is a staunch Conservative, Ruddy has long positioned himself as an independent thinker, willing to engage with those across the aisle. He has described himself as a “Reagan Conservative,” but has also expressed admiration for leaders of different political stripes who prioritize solutions over partisanship.
This week, I joined Nassau County GOP Chairman, Joseph G. Cairo, Jr., Congressman Peter King, and a small group for dinner at King Umberto to celebrate Chris’ success. One thing is clear about my good friend: his story is far from over. As Newsmax continues to grow, diversify its content, and invest in new technologies, Ruddy remains at the forefront, steering the ship with a combination of business savvy and ideological purpose. For many, Chris is a symbol of how bold ideas and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom can reshape entire industries. For others like me, he’s a dear friend, a hometown success story, a local kid who made it big but never forgot where he came from.
Whether in the boardroom of a billion-dollar media empire or walking the streets of Mineola, Chris Ruddy carries with him the imprint of Long Island: tough, driven, proud, and committed to telling stories that matter. He’s also a man I’m proud to call my friend.
Congressman Anthony D’Esposito was recently nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Inspector General of the Department of Labor. Previously, he served in Congress, representing New York’s 4th Congressional District. Anthony served as a Councilman in the Town of Hempstead after retiring from the NYPD as a highly decorated Detective. He also served as Chief of the Island Park Fire Department and helped lead the all-volunteer organization’s response to Super-Storm Sandy. The Congressman appears frequently on Fox News, Newsmax, ABC National News, and 77 WABC Sid And Friends In The Morning. To contact, email info@teamdesposito.com.
