Newsmax CEO Ruddy Named to Top 100 in Jewish Life

Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy has been honored among the world's top 100 people who positively influenced Jewish life in 2024, according to a list compiled by The Algemeiner, a global news organization focusing on Jewish interests.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leading the Jewish state through war on multiple fronts against Iran and its terrorist proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, was No. 1 on the list, followed by his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant.

Ruddy checked in at No. 6 among those in the business world on a list that included many frequent Newsmax guests, such as former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, President Donald Trump's pick to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel, who came in at No. 5, one slot behind Trump.

"Despite the artificial, superficial, and sensational nature of any list, we sought to transform the information deluge of our times by using the list to shine a spotlight on those gems in our midst, those people who are making a real difference in others' lives," The Algemeiner's editors wrote in a preamble. "We also seek to inspire and motivate our young and the next generation, our future emerging leaders, in rising to the occasion and perpetuating the highest standards of our proud tradition and legacy — in serving and championing the cause of Jews and Israel."

Prominent politicians on the list included House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.; Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Trump's pick to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y.; Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.; Democrat Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro; Paraguay President Santiago Peña; and Argentina President Javier Milei.

Also included were author J.K. Rowling, actress Patricia Heaton, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Tiffany Haddish, and podcast host Megyn Kelly.

The list featured a summary for each individual. For Ruddy, it stated: "A journalist by profession, Chris Ruddy is the CEO and majority shareholder of Newsmax Media, a conservative digital media and cable news operation. In contrast to much the U.S. media's coverage of Israel, Newsmax has been consistently supportive of the Jewish state, emphasizing to its viewers that Israel's military response in Gaza was a direct consequence of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas mass assault on the Jewish state."

The entry also noted Ruddy was named a "Zionist Hero" by the Zionist Organization of America.

"In an opinion piece shortly after the Oct. 7 atrocities, Ruddy argued the attack was 'not an isolated one, but part of a larger and growing war that started in the Ukraine almost two years ago,' warning that this 'expanding war threatens to become a global one due to failed U.S. leadership," the bio continued.