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The National Enquirer

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The National Enquirer
The National Enquirer
source
TypeSupermarket tabloid
Foundation1926 (as The New York Evening Enquirer)
FoundersWilliam Griffin
HeadquartersNew York City
PublisherAmerican Media, Inc. (now A360 Media)
LanguageEnglish

The National Enquirer is an American supermarket tabloid known for its sensational coverage of celebrity news, scandals, and conspiracy theories. Founded in 1926, it pioneered the practice of mass distribution in supermarket checkout aisles, becoming a cultural fixture. Throughout its history, it has been embroiled in numerous high-profile legal battles and controversies, significantly influencing the landscape of tabloid journalism in the United States.

History

The publication was launched in 1926 by William Griffin, a protégé of William Randolph Hearst, under the name The New York Evening Enquirer. After struggling for decades, it was purchased in 1952 by Generoso Pope Jr., whose family owned the Colonial Sand & Stone company. Pope transformed it into a sensationalist weekly, drawing inspiration from the tabloid style of British newspapers like the Daily Mirror. He moved its operations to Lantana, Florida, and in the 1970s, secured exclusive distribution deals with major supermarket chains like Kroger and A&P. Following Pope's death in 1988, the tabloid was sold to a group led by Boston Ventures and later to American Media, Inc. (AMI), headed by David Pecker. In 2019, AMI sold it to James Cohen, heir to the Hudson News fortune, and the parent company was later rebranded as A360 Media.

Content and style

The publication is characterized by bold headlines, lurid photographs, and stories focusing on celebrity gossip, Hollywood scandals, and paranormal claims. It frequently employs a tactic known as "checkbook journalism," paying sources for exclusive stories, which has led to major scoops on figures like John Edwards and Tiger Woods. Its style often blends factual reporting with speculative or unverified claims, covering topics from UFO sightings to diet fads. Regular features have included investigations into the deaths of celebrities like Elvis Presley and Princess Diana, as well as ongoing coverage of political figures such as Donald Trump and the Clinton family.

It has faced significant legal challenges, most notably a 1988 lawsuit for libel brought by actress Carol Burnett, which she won. Its reporting methods were scrutinized during the O. J. Simpson murder case, and it faced allegations of attempting to suppress stories about Trump during the 2016 presidential election. In 2018, its parent company, AMI, entered a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding payments made to silence Karen McDougal, a practice connected to the Stormy Daniels scandal. The tabloid has also been criticized for its aggressive pursuit of stories, which some allege borders on blackmail through a practice dubbed "catch and kill."

Impact and influence

The tabloid is credited with creating the modern supermarket tabloid genre and democratizing celebrity gossip for a mass audience. Its success influenced competitors like the Star and the Globe, and its tactics were adopted by television shows like Entertainment Tonight and TMZ. It has played a role in major political events, as evidenced by its coverage of the John Edwards 2008 presidential campaign scandal. Furthermore, its blend of crime stories and celebrity news presaged the rise of true crime entertainment on networks like CNN and Fox News.

Business operations

Its business model historically relied on high single-copy sales at supermarket checkouts rather than subscriptions. Under Generoso Pope Jr., it became one of the most profitable publications in the U.S., with peak circulation reportedly exceeding five million copies weekly in the 1970s. After Pope's death, circulation declined amid competition from television and the internet. As part of American Media, Inc., it shared resources with other tabloids like the National Examiner and operated out of offices in New York City and Boca Raton, Florida. Following its sale and the rebranding to A360 Media, it continues as a digital and print entity in a challenging media landscape.

Category:American weekly newspapers Category:Supermarket tabloids Category:Publications established in 1926