National Enquirer Ownership and Corporate Structure
The National Enquirer is published by American Media Inc., a holding company that has undergone multiple ownership changes in recent years. In 2019, AMI agreed to sell the tabloid to a group led by American Media's then-chairman David Pecker and co-investors, with the deal structured to resolve legal matters tied to the publication's history. The transaction included the National Enquirer alongside other AMI titles such as Globe and New York Daily News, with the parent entity retaining key assets while divesting the tabloid brand. The move followed a period of intense scrutiny over the company's financial ties and legal exposure, including a 2018 federal investigation into potential campaign finance violations related to payments made to suppress stories. The current operational structure places the National Enquirer under a separate ownership entity, with American Media Inc. focusing on its remaining portfolio and digital properties. Forbes reported on the 2019 sale agreement and its terms.
American Media Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2023, restructuring its debt while continuing operations. The bankruptcy filing listed liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion, with major creditors including bondholders and former executives. As part of the restructuring, AMI sought to shed legacy liabilities tied to the National Enquirer and other titles while preserving revenue from its remaining media assets. The National Enquirer's publishing operations continued during the bankruptcy process, with the publication maintaining its print and digital presence under the new ownership arrangement. The tabloid's editorial operations remain based in New York City, with a small editorial team producing content for print and online distribution. SEC filings detail AMI's bankruptcy petition and creditor claims.
Legal Cases and Regulatory Scrutiny
The National Enquirer became central to the 2018 federal investigation into alleged hush money payments during the U.S. presidential campaign. Federal prosecutors charged two former AMI executives with violating campaign finance laws, alleging the tabloid facilitated a payment to a private individual to suppress damaging stories ahead of the election. The case resulted in guilty pleas from both executives, with sentences including home confinement and fines, and led to a broader examination of AMI's business practices. The legal proceedings highlighted the tabloid's role in the payment scheme and its connections to political figures, raising questions about media ethics and campaign finance compliance. The resolution of the case required AMI to cooperate with investigators and implement compliance reforms across its publications. Department of Justice press release covers the AMI executive guilty pleas.
Beyond the campaign finance case, the National Enquirer has faced multiple defamation and privacy lawsuits from public figures and private individuals. Court filings show settlements and judgments totaling millions of dollars, with plaintiffs alleging false reporting, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The tabloid's legal strategy has historically relied on aggressive motion practice and settlement negotiations, with many cases resolved before trial. In 2023, a New York court ruled on a defamation case involving the National Enquirer, awarding damages to the plaintiff and reinforcing standards for tabloid journalism. The ruling underscored the legal risks associated with the publication's editorial approach and prompted internal review of fact-checking procedures.