Newsmax CEO Uses Trump Assassination Attempt to Raise Money For Embattled Network

(Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy revealed on Monday he spoke with former President Donald Trump by phone following a failed assassination attempt against him over the weekend.

Ruddy also used the assassination attempt to promote his network against a “dishonest” media.

“I can’t reveal specifics of the call, but I can tell you President Trump understands God’s role in our lives and in our country. He wants our country to remain free and strong,” Ruddy wrote in a statement.

He added that Trump expressed condolences for Corey Comperatore, who was fatally shot at the Pennsylvania rally, as well as the other two rally goers who were injured. Trump was struck in the ear after a shooter identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks got off multiple shots on Saturday before being killed by Secret Service.

Ruddy accused media outlets of “downplaying” the shooting, citing some of the initial descriptions thrown out as networks scrambled to piece together the story.

“I was not surprised by President Trump’s grace under pressure as this horrible event happened. But I was surprised by the media’s reaction,” Ruddy wrote. “Networks like CNN and MSNBC went out of their way to downplay this attack on our democracy, calling it an ‘incident,'” he said, also knocking pushes for gun control in the wake of the shooting.

The CEO used the moment “to underscore” the “importance” of Newsmax and to promote people investing in the company.

“Newsmax is growing and we want to grow bigger and faster. You can help us by continuing to watch us . . . and by telling your friends and family to tune in as well,” he wrote. “Also, just weeks ago we announced plans for an IPO later this year or early next year. We hope hundreds of thousands of Americans like you will be co-owners of Newsmax, subject to all SEC approvals.”

Dominion Votings Systems has a defamation case against Newsmax in motion over reporting on claims that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent due to the machines, a conspiracy theory that has never been proven in any way. Fox News previously settled a similar lawsuit from Dominion for nearly $800 million.

Newsmax announced recently a plan to raise $250 million from investors before the drop of an IPO this year or next.

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