The National Enquirer: A History of Scandal, Tabloids, and Influence
The National Enquirer stands as one of the most polarizing figures in American media. From its humble beginnings as a broadsheet to its evolution into a global symbol of sensationalist tabloid journalism, the publication has navigated a tumultuous path marked by legal battles, political influence, and a relentless pursuit of the lurid.
The Early Years: From Broadsheet to Tabloid (1926–1950s)
Founded on September 19, 1926, by William Griffin—a protégé of media mogul William Randolph Hearst—the paper debuted as The New York Evening Enquirer. Initially a Sunday afternoon broadsheet, it served as a testing ground for Hearst's new ideas. However, because Hearst adopted the successful concepts for his own publications, the Enquirer struggled to grow its audience.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the paper shifted toward isolationism and pro-fascist propaganda. This led to a 1942 indictment of both the paper and Griffin under the Smith Act for sedition, following editorials that criticized U.S. military involvement in World War II. Although the charges were eventually dropped, the paper's reputation remained contentious.
By 1952, circulation had plummeted to 17,000 copies per week. The publication was purchased by Generoso Pope Jr., whose son, Paul, later alleged that the funds for the purchase were provided by Mafia boss Frank Costello in exchange for listing lottery numbers and ignoring organized crime activities.
The Rise of Sensationalism and Supermarket Distribution
In 1953, Pope transformed the broadsheet into a sensationalist tabloid. The content became so salacious that New York Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. forced Pope to resign from the city's Board of Higher Education in 1954. By 1957, the paper was renamed The National Enquirer, shifting its focus to national stories of sex and scandal.
Throughout the 1960s, the Enquirer became infamous for gory headlines, inspired by Pope's observation of crowds gathering at auto accidents. By 1966, circulation reached one million. To further expand, Pope pioneered the practice of selling magazines at supermarket checkouts. To secure these placements, he pivoted away from violence in 1967, focusing instead on celebrities, the occult, and UFOs.
The publication later moved its headquarters to Lantana, Florida, in 1971. It gained significant notoriety for its exhaustive coverage of Elvis Presley's death, publishing autopsy results and pharmaceutical abuse reports for over two years.
Corporate Evolution and the AMI Era
By the late 1980s, the parent company, American Media, had acquired other titles like Weekly World News. Following Generoso Pope Jr.'s death in 1988, the company was sold to a partnership of Macfadden Publishing and Boston Ventures for $412 million. This entity eventually became American Media, Inc. (AMI), which also acquired Star magazine from Rupert Murdoch.
| Era/Year | Key Figure | Major Change/Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | William Griffin | Founded as The New York Evening Enquirer |
| 1953 | Generoso Pope Jr. | Converted from broadsheet to tabloid format |
| 1957 | Generoso Pope Jr. | Renamed The National Enquirer; focus on national scandal |
| 1967 | Generoso Pope Jr. | Shifted to celebrity/occult content for supermarket sales |
| 1999 | David J. Pecker | AMI acquired by Pecker's group |
| 2019 | Hudson Group | AMI sold the Enquirer and other tabloids to Hudson Group |
High-Profile Investigations and Controversies
Despite its reputation, the Enquirer has occasionally performed significant investigative work. Under editor-in-chief David Perel, the paper spent 18 months proving that former presidential candidate John Edwards had an affair with Rielle Hunter. This reporting was so impactful that the Pulitzer Prize Board announced in 2010 that the Enquirer was eligible for consideration in Investigative Journalism and National News Reporting.
The publication also played a role in criminal justice, offering a $100,000 reward that led to the arrest and conviction of the murderer of Ennis Cosby, son of Bill Cosby. The LAPD publicly credited the Enquirer for solving the case.
Political Influence and "Catch and Kill"
In the 2010s, the Enquirer became deeply entwined with the 2016 presidential election. The paper enthusiastically endorsed Donald Trump, publishing stories that promoted his candidacy while attacking opponents like Ted Cruz. This included a story alleging Cruz's father had links to Lee Harvey Oswald—a claim Trump later admitted he did not believe but felt people should read.
The publication also faced accusations of catch and kill—a practice where a media outlet buys the exclusive rights to a story specifically to prevent it from being published. This occurred with Karen McDougal, whom the Enquirer paid $150,000 for her life rights regarding an alleged affair with Trump, and Dino Sajudin, a Trump Tower doorman paid $30,000 for a story about an alleged illegitimate child, which was subsequently spiked by owner David Pecker.
Legal Battles and Ethical Failures
The Enquirer's history is riddled with libel suits and retractions. In 2002, it published a fabricated story about the family of Elizabeth Smart, later issuing a rare apology. It also lost a suit brought by actress Kate Hudson in 2006 and settled a libel case with the wife of Gary Condit in 2003.
In 2019, Jeff Bezos accused the publication of threatening to release private photographs and messages of him and Lauren Sánchez unless The Washington Post ceased its investigation into how the materials were obtained.
Key Facts
- Founded: September 19, 1926, as The New York Evening Enquirer.
- Format Shift: Transitioned from broadsheet to tabloid in 1953.
- Distribution Innovation: Pioneered the sale of magazines at supermarket checkouts.
- Political Ties: Used "catch and kill" tactics to protect Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign.
- Notable Success: Provided the critical tip that solved the murder of Ennis Cosby.
- Ownership: Sold to Hudson Group in 2019 by American Media, Inc. (AMI).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "catch and kill" journalism?
Catch and kill is a practice where a publication pays a source for the exclusive rights to a story with the specific intention of burying it so that the information never reaches the public.
Did the National Enquirer ever win a Pulitzer Prize?
While it did not win, the Pulitzer Prize Board declared the publication eligible for consideration in 2010 following its investigation into John Edwards' extramarital affair.
How did the National Enquirer change its content to enter supermarkets?
In 1967, the paper dropped its focus on gore and violence, shifting toward more benign but intriguing topics like celebrities, UFOs, and the occult to make the publication acceptable for supermarket environments.
What was the Enquirer's role in the Ennis Cosby case?
The publication offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the murderer's conviction. A credible tip received by the paper was passed to the LAPD, which led to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
Who currently owns the National Enquirer?
As of April 2019, the National Enquirer, along with the Globe and National Examiner, was sold by AMI to the Hudson Group.