Conservative media boss of Newsmax told President Trump he opposed Sinclair-Tribune merger

The Federal Communication Commission’s surprise move to block Sinclair Broadcast Group’s $6.6 billion acquisition of Tribune Media came after the head of a rival conservative news outlet discussed his opposition to the deal with President Donald Trump. “I have discussed my opposition to the merger a few times with him,” Christopher Ruddy, founder and chief executive of Newsmax, said on July 18, referring to his longtime friend, President Trump. It is not known if President Trump ever discussed the deal with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai — who said he has “serious concerns” about the merger and would move to block it. Ruddy, who operates a right-leaning cable news network and website, has been a constant and outspoken critic of the Sinclair-Tribune deal.

On July 12, Newsmax’s lawyers at Boies Schiller Flexner filed papers with the FCC questioning Sinclair’s transparency — or lack thereof — in selling three key stations, including WGN, to less than an arm’s distance buyers, apparently. Four days later, on July 16, the FCC moved to block the deal — citing some of the same transparency issues highlighted in the Boies letter.