Hugh Hewitt is a prominent American conservative political commentator known for his work as a radio talk show host with the Salem Radio Network. Besides his role in media, Hewitt has an extensive background in law and politics, having served as an official in the Reagan administration. He has also held the position of president and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation. As an academic, Hewitt has contributed as a law professor at Chapman University School of Law. His writings focus on law, politics, society, and media bias in the United States. Additionally, he has been a columnist for The Washington Post and is a regular commentator on Fox News.
February 22, 1956: Birth of Hugh Hewitt
Hugh Hewitt was born on February 22, 1956, marking the start of a life that would lead him to become a notable conservative political commentator, radio talk show host, attorney, academic, and author.
1978: Graduation from Harvard University
In 1978, Hugh Hewitt graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government, setting the stage for his future career in law and politics.
1982: Marriage to Betsy Hewitt
In 1982, Hugh Hewitt married Betsy Hewitt. The couple resides in Virginia and has three children. Hugh Hewitt is known for his involvement in Christian faith discussions and has written several books on the subject, often criticizing the Democratic Party for being anti-religion.
1983: Graduation from University of Michigan Law School
Hugh Hewitt completed his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Michigan Law School in 1983, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif, marking a key milestone in his legal education.
1989: Executive Director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
In 1989, Hugh Hewitt became the executive director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, a position that would lead to significant controversy the following year.
1990: Departure from Nixon Library
Hugh Hewitt left the Nixon Library in 1990 and began hosting a weekend radio talk show on KFI in Los Angeles, marking a transition in his career to radio broadcasting.
1990: Controversy at Nixon Library
In 1990, Hugh Hewitt faced controversy for proposing to screen researchers at the Nixon Library, aiming to exclude those he deemed 'unfriendly.' This decision was reversed by John Taylor and attracted criticism from The New York Times.
1992: Co-Hosting Life & Times on KCET
In the spring of 1992, Hugh Hewitt started co-hosting the KCET program Life & Times. He remained with the program until 2001, earning three Emmys for his work.
1996: Host of PBS Series Searching for God in America
Hugh Hewitt conceived and hosted the PBS series Searching for God in America in 1996, further expanding his role in television broadcasting.
2001: Launch of His Own Radio Show
In the fall of 2001, Hugh Hewitt began broadcasting his own radio show, a significant step in his broadcasting career.
2006: Interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN
In a 2006 CNN interview with Anderson Cooper, Hugh Hewitt expressed his views on George W. Bush's presidency, calling the War in Iraq one of Bush's wisest decisions, showcasing his support for increased defense spending.
February 2016: Support for Trump Despite Clashes
In February 2016, Hugh Hewitt expressed his support for Donald Trump should he become the Republican nominee, despite their public disagreements during Republican debates.
April 4, 2016: The Hugh Hewitt Show Moves to Morning Slot
On April 4, 2016, The Hugh Hewitt Show moved to the morning drive time slot, expanding its reach and influence across more than 75 stations.
June 2016: Call to Disendorse Trump Reversed
In June 2016, Hugh Hewitt initially called for the RNC to disendorse Donald Trump following controversial remarks, but he later reversed his position amid claims of external pressure, which he denied.
June 24, 2017: Debut of Hugh Hewitt Television Show
On June 24, 2017, Hugh Hewitt debuted a television show on MSNBC, where he conducted interviews and provided commentary, marking his entry into television broadcasting on the network.
April 2018: Support for Trump's National Security Team Changes
In April 2018, Hugh Hewitt voiced strong support for President Trump's decision to appoint John Bolton and Mike Pompeo to key national security positions, advocating for a hawkish foreign policy approach.
June 2018: Hewitt Questions Sessions on Child Separation Policy
In June 2018, during an interview with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Hugh Hewitt questioned the morality of the Trump administration's policy of separating undocumented immigrant children from their parents. Hewitt expressed concern over the trauma and difficulty this policy could cause for children, especially infants and toddlers.
October 2019: Hewitt Supports Trump's Syria Withdrawal
In October 2019, Hugh Hewitt publicly defended President Trump's decision to withdraw a small number of US military forces from Northern Syria. This decision left the Syrian Kurds vulnerable to Turkish attacks, as the US troops had been acting as a buffer between Turkey and the Kurds.
2019: Return to Nixon Library as CEO
In 2019, Hugh Hewitt returned to the Nixon Library as president and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation, announcing plans to split his time between Orange County and Washington, D.C.
March 2020: Incorrect Prediction About Biden's Campaign
In March 2020, Hugh Hewitt predicted that Joe Biden's South Carolina primary win would not benefit his campaign significantly, a prediction that was proven incorrect after Biden's Super Tuesday success and eventual nomination.
2020: Hugh Hewitt's Stance on Trump-Ukraine Scandal
In 2020, amid the Trump-Ukraine scandal that led to Donald Trump's first impeachment, Hugh Hewitt proposed a conspiracy theory regarding the whistleblower complaint. He suggested the whistleblower was attempting to divert attention from his involvement in a supposed "Clintons-Obama-Biden collusion debacle." Hewitt also wrote an op-ed titled "Impeachment-minded Democrats, welcome to Al Capone's vault. Look familiar?" where he accused the FBI of attempting a "coup" against Trump and labeled the Democrats' actions as another coup. He dismissed the July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a "nothingburger."
November 2021: Replacement as President and CEO of Nixon Foundation
In November 2021, Hugh Hewitt was replaced by Jim Byron as president and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation, concluding his tenure in the leadership role.
November 2021: Streaming on Salem News Channel
In November 2021, Hugh Hewitt's show began streaming on the Salem News Channel, expanding its digital presence and accessibility.
October 24, 2024: Hewitt Votes for Trump in 2024
On October 24, 2024, during a phone call with Donald Trump on his podcast, Hugh Hewitt announced that he had voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
November 2024: Departure from The Washington Post
In November 2024, Hugh Hewitt quit his position with The Washington Post after an appearance on the paper's live show, ending his tenure with the publication.