Larry Elder is a conservative talk radio host and commentator known for "The Larry Elder Show," based in California. His show gained prominence in Los Angeles (KABC) from 1993 to 2008 and 2010 to 2014. It achieved national syndication via ABC Radio Networks (2002-2007) and Salem Media Group (2015-2022). Elder is associated with "The Epoch Times," a publication linked to the Falun Gong movement.
1915: Birth of Randolph Elder
Randolph Elder, Larry Elder's father, was born in 1915 in Athens, Georgia.
1924: Birth of Viola Conley
Viola Conley, who would later become Larry Elder's mother, was born in 1924 in Toney, Alabama.
April 27, 1952: Larry Elder's Birth
On April 27, 1952, Laurence Allen Elder, better known as Larry Elder, was born in Los Angeles, California.
1962: Opening of Randolph Elder's Cafe
Around 1962, Randolph Elder, Larry Elder's father, opened a cafe in Pico-Union after previously working as a janitor at Nabisco.
1970: Graduation from Crenshaw High School
In 1970, Larry Elder graduated from Crenshaw High School.
1974: Graduation from Brown University
Larry Elder earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Brown University in 1974.
1976: Vote for Jimmy Carter
Larry Elder identifies as a "small-l libertarian" and consistently votes Republican. His political philosophy centers around the idea that minimal government intervention is most effective.
1977: Graduation from University of Michigan Law School
In 1977, Larry Elder graduated from the University of Michigan Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.
1980: Laurence A. Elder and Associates Founded
In 1980, Larry Elder established his own legal executive search firm called Laurence A. Elder and Associates.
1980: Consistent Republican Voter
Larry Elder identifies as a "small-l libertarian" and consistently votes Republican. His political philosophy centers around the idea that minimal government intervention is most effective.
1987: Stepping Down from Elder and Associates
Larry Elder stepped down from actively managing Elder and Associates in 1987 while retaining ownership of the firm.
1988: Co-hosting "Fabric"
In 1988, Larry Elder began co-hosting "Fabric," a television program produced by Dennis Goulden that focused on various topics and aired on Cleveland's PBS station WVIZ.
1993: The Larry Elder Show Begins
In 1993, "The Larry Elder Show" premiered on the Los Angeles radio station KABC, marking the start of Elder's influential radio career.
1994: Elder's First Marriage and Divorce
In 1994, Elder's two-year marriage to a physician ended in divorce due to differing views on having children.
1994: Start of Weekday Evening Talk Show on KABC
Larry Elder began hosting a weekday evening talk show on the Los Angeles radio station KABC in 1994.
1995: Relinquishing Ownership of Elder and Associates
In 1995, Larry Elder relinquished ownership of Elder and Associates.
1996: Elder Begins Relationship with Patricia Stewart
Elder began dating Patricia Stewart in 1996. Their relationship lasted for 16 years.
1997: Hosting "National Desk" on PBS
In 1997, Larry Elder joined fellow conservatives Fred Barnes and Laura Ingraham as a host on the PBS program "National Desk". That year, he hosted segments titled "Redefining Racism: Fresh Voices From Black America" and "Title IX and Women in Sports: What's Wrong With This Picture," which presented a critique of Title IX.
1998: Start of Nationally Syndicated Column
In 1998, Larry Elder began writing a nationally syndicated column through Creators Syndicate.
2000: Los Angeles Area Emmy Award and "Moral Court"
Larry Elder received a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award for his KCAL-TV news special, "Making Waves - LAUSD," in 2000. Also in 2000, he began hosting the court series "Moral Court," which was distributed by Warner Brothers Television.
2000: Publication of "The Ten Things You Can't Say In America"
In 2000, Elder authored "The Ten Things You Can't Say In America," outlining a plan with conservative aims, such as abolishing the IRS and significantly reducing government size, welfare programs, and corporate taxes.
2000: Skepticism About Secondhand Smoke Hazards
Elder has expressed doubt about the widely accepted dangers of secondhand smoke, contradicting scientific consensus on its serious health risks and contribution to millions of deaths.
2001: Continued Hosting of "Moral Court"
Larry Elder continued his role as host of the Warner Brothers Television court series "Moral Court" in 2001.
2002: Views on Women in the Workforce
Elder has consistently refuted the existence of a gender pay gap. He believes employers should be able to discriminate against women planning to have children, arguing they are less dedicated to their jobs.
2002: National Syndication Begins
Larry Elder's radio show, "The Larry Elder Show", was picked up for national syndication by ABC Radio Networks in 2002, expanding his reach significantly.
2004: Hosting the Syndicated "The Larry Elder Show"
In 2004, Larry Elder began hosting a syndicated talk show titled "The Larry Elder Show," distributed by Warner Bros.
December 2005: Ohio Law License Suspended
Larry Elder's license to practice law in Ohio was put on administrative suspension in December 2005 due to his failure to stay current with registration requirements, according to the Supreme Court of Ohio Attorney Directory.
2005: Release of "Michael & Me"
Larry Elder released his self-funded film, "Michael & Me," in 2005 as a direct rebuttal to filmmaker Michael Moore's documentary "Bowling for Columbine."
2006: Passing of Viola Elder
Viola Elder, Larry Elder's mother, passed away in 2006.
2007: End of Syndication and MSNBC Audition
In 2007, ABC Radio Networks stopped syndicating "The Larry Elder Show". That same year, Elder auditioned to take over Don Imus's morning slot on MSNBC. However, the network ultimately decided to go with Joe Scarborough.
2007: MSNBC Audition
In 2007, following the cancellation of "Imus in the Morning," Larry Elder was among the rotating guest hosts who auditioned to permanently fill the vacant MSNBC morning slot. However, the position was ultimately given to Joe Scarborough.
December 2008: End of KABC Show and Beginning of Podcast
Larry Elder concluded his weekday evening talk show on KABC in December 2008. Following this, he began a daily live podcast and webcast.
2008: Dismissal of Climate Change
Elder previously labeled climate change a "crock" and a "myth," criticizing Republicans who acknowledged it. He has since recognized global warming but rejects the role of human activity, instead viewing it as "alarmism."
2008: First Run of "The Larry Elder Show" Ends
Larry Elder's first run of "The Larry Elder Show" on KABC came to an end in 2008.
December 2009: Launch of Daily Podcast and Webcast
In December 2009, Larry Elder began a daily live podcast and webcast, marking a transition in his career.
September 2010: Return to KABC
Larry Elder returned to KABC radio in September 2010 after a period of hosting his own podcast and webcast.
2010: "The Larry Elder Show" Returns and Possible Senate Run
Larry Elder restarted "The Larry Elder Show" on KABC in 2010. During this year, he considered running for a US Senate seat in California against Barbara Boxer.
2010: Contemplation of Senate Run
Roll Call reported that Larry Elder was contemplating a run for the US Senate seat held by Barbara Boxer in 2010.
2011: Elder Publicly Addresses Sexual Harassment Allegations
In 2011, during episodes of his radio show, Elder revealed and denied two past accusations of sexual harassment against him. In one instance, his defense involved making inappropriate comments about the woman's physical appearance, drawing significant criticism.
2011: Randolph Elder's Passing
Randolph Elder, Larry Elder's father, passed away in 2011.
April 2012: End of Los Angeles Daily News Column
Larry Elder stopped writing his weekly column for the Los Angeles Daily News in April 2012.
2012: Elder and Patricia Stewart Separate
After 16 years together, Elder and Patricia Stewart ended their relationship but remained friends.
2013: Congressional Gold Medal for Randolph Elder
Larry Elder and his brother, Kirk, accepted a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of their father, Randolph Elder, from U.S. Representative Dana Rohrabacher in 2013.
2013: Criticism of Chris Christie and Government Spending
During a 2013 CNN segment, Elder challenged Chris Christie for accepting the welfare state framework. He made a disputed claim about government taking almost half of Americans' income through mandates, citing a conservative group's analysis.
2013: Elder's Engagement to Alexandra Datig
Elder began dating Alexandra Datig, his former radio producer, and the couple got engaged in 2013.
December 2014: Dismissal from KABC
Larry Elder was dismissed from his position at KABC after a particular afternoon broadcast in December 2014.
2014: Opposition to Proposition 47
Elder characterizes California's approach to crime as lenient, expressing disapproval of a law restricting certain police chokeholds. He advocates for the repeal of Proposition 47, which reclassified some felonies as misdemeanors.
2014: Departure from KABC
In 2014, Larry Elder's time at KABC ended once more after he was let go following an afternoon broadcast.
2014: Dismissal of Secondhand Smoke Science
Elder has expressed doubt about the widely accepted dangers of secondhand smoke, contradicting scientific consensus on its serious health risks and contribution to millions of deaths.
June 2015: Joining CRN Digital Talk Radio Networks
In June 2015, Larry Elder became a part of the CRN Digital Talk Radio Networks lineup.
August 2015: National Syndication via Salem Radio Network
August 2015 marked the beginning of the national syndication of "The Larry Elder Show" through the Salem Radio Network. This included a return to Los Angeles airwaves, this time on KRLA.
2015: Elder and Alexandra Datig End Engagement
Elder and Alexandra Datig called off their engagement in 2015.
2015: Hollywood Walk of Fame and Return to Syndication
Larry Elder received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015. Additionally, "The Larry Elder Show" returned to national syndication via the Salem Radio Network, including a return to the Los Angeles airwaves on KRLA.
2016: Early Supporter of Trump's Candidacy
Elder publicly supported Donald Trump's presidential run early on. He viewed Trump's win as extraordinary and even suggested divine intervention. However, he disagreed with certain policies like tariffs and the Afghanistan withdrawal.
2017: Controversial Statements About Women
Elder faced criticism in August 2021 for past remarks deemed disparaging toward women, including suggestions about their political knowledge, mockery of the Women's March, and comments on domestic violence statistics. He believes Democrats' appeal to women voters is based on "emotionally driven" policies.
2019: Praise for Trump's Election
Elder publicly supported Donald Trump's presidential run early on. He viewed Trump's win as extraordinary and even suggested divine intervention. However, he disagreed with certain policies like tariffs and the Afghanistan withdrawal.
2019: Enactment of Senate Bill 27
In 2019, Senate Bill 27 was enacted, mandating tax return disclosure for both gubernatorial and presidential candidates to appear on a "primary" ballot.
2020: Stephen Miller's Frequent Appearances on "The Larry Elder Show"
During a 2020 interview with NPR, journalist Jean Guerrero revealed that Larry Elder had featured Stephen Miller on his radio show as a guest a remarkable 69 times. Elder's interest in Miller, who later became a key figure in the Trump administration shaping immigration policies, stemmed from Miller's early calls to the show during his high school years. Miller himself acknowledges Elder's influence on his views.
2020: Disbelief in Biden's Win and Support for Trump
Elder publicly supported Donald Trump's presidential run early on. He viewed Trump's win as extraordinary and even suggested divine intervention. However, he disagreed with certain policies like tariffs and the Afghanistan withdrawal.
2020: Release of "Uncle Tom: An Oral History of the American Black Conservative"
In 2020, Elder released the film "Uncle Tom: An Oral History of the American Black Conservative," criticizing the War on Poverty. He consistently argues against minimum wage, advocating for its complete elimination, and opposes universal basic income and California's unpaid family leave law.
January 6, 2021: Defense of Trump and Opposition to Specific Policies
Elder does not attribute blame to Trump for the January 6th Capitol attack. While a staunch supporter, he opposed some of Trump's policies, such as tariffs and withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.
July 2021: Announcement of Candidacy in California Gubernatorial Recall Election
In July 2021, Larry Elder announced his candidacy for the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election, aiming to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. He revealed that he was encouraged to run by his mentor, fellow conservative talk-radio personality Dennis Prager.
July 21, 2021: Reinstatement to the Recall Ballot
On July 21, 2021, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Laurie Earl ordered the reinstatement of Larry Elder to the recall ballot. This came after Elder sued California Secretary of State Shirley Weber for initially omitting his name. The judge ruled that Weber had improperly disqualified Elder, as he had "substantially complied" with disclosure requirements. The judge found the recall election's tax return disclosure rules, imposed by Weber, to be invalid since the recall was not a "direct primary election."
August 2021: Criticism for Statements About Women
Elder faced criticism in August 2021 for past remarks deemed disparaging toward women, including suggestions about their political knowledge, mockery of the Women's March, and comments on domestic violence statistics. He believes Democrats' appeal to women voters is based on "emotionally driven" policies.
September 2021: Claims of Election Shenanigans
During the September 2021 California gubernatorial recall election, Larry Elder alleged potential irregularities in the voting process, despite lacking evidence. His campaign website even prematurely declared "twisted results" and suggested fraud before the official count was finalized.
2021: Acknowledgment of Climate Change but Rejection of Human Impact
Elder previously labeled climate change a "crock" and a "myth," criticizing Republicans who acknowledged it. He has since recognized global warming but rejects the role of human activity, instead viewing it as "alarmism."
2021: Self-Described Libertarian and Republican Voter
Larry Elder identifies as a "small-l libertarian" and consistently votes Republican. His political philosophy centers around the idea that minimal government intervention is most effective.
2021: Reiteration of Views on Working Mothers
Elder has consistently refuted the existence of a gender pay gap. He believes employers should be able to discriminate against women planning to have children, arguing they are less dedicated to their jobs.
2021: Criticism of California's Criminal Justice System
Elder characterizes California's approach to crime as lenient, expressing disapproval of a law restricting certain police chokeholds. He advocates for the repeal of Proposition 47, which reclassified some felonies as misdemeanors.
2021: Alexandra Datig Accuses Elder of Abuse, Leading to Calls for Withdrawal from Recall Election
During the 2021 California recall election, Elder's former fiancée, Alexandra Datig, came forward with allegations of abuse against him. She claimed that Elder had pressured her to get a tattoo, brandished a gun at her while seemingly under the influence of marijuana, and exhibited other controlling behaviors. These allegations led to calls for Elder's withdrawal from the gubernatorial race from various figures, including The Sacramento Bee editorial board, Kevin Faulconer, and Caitlyn Jenner. Elder vehemently denied all the accusations, labeling them as "salacious allegations."
2021: Elder's Stance on COVID-19 Mandates and Vaccine Misinformation
During 2021, Elder publicly opposed statewide public health mandates related to COVID-19 in California, including vaccine requirements, mask mandates, and regular testing for state employees. He suggested that while vaccination was advisable for high-risk and older individuals, it wasn't necessary for young people. Additionally, Elder faced criticism for not challenging and even promoting a caller on his radio show who spread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.
2021: California Gubernatorial Recall Election
Larry Elder entered the political arena for the first time in 2021, running as a Republican candidate in the recall election against California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. While the recall attempt ultimately failed, Elder emerged as the frontrunner among the replacement candidates.
January 2022: Focus on Supporting Republicans
In January 2022, Elder chose not to pursue a gubernatorial run against Newsom, instead establishing "Elder for America." This political action committee aimed to bolster Republican efforts in regaining control of the House and Senate.
April 4, 2022: Departure from Salem Radio Network
On April 4, 2022, Larry Elder departed from his afternoon slot on the Salem Radio Network after a six-year run. Carl Jackson, his regular fill-in host, took over temporarily.
2022: Departure from Salem Radio Network
After a successful six-year run, Larry Elder stepped down from his afternoon slot on the Salem Radio Network in 2022.
April 14, 2023: Early Announcement to Washington Examiner
Elder appears to have revealed his presidential aspirations a week earlier than his official announcement, disclosing the news to the Washington Examiner on April 14, 2023.
April 20, 2023: Presidential Candidacy Announcement
On April 20, 2023, Larry Elder formally announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.
July 2023: Criticism of RNC Debate Requirements
In July 2023, Elder criticized the Republican National Committee's (RNC) criteria for participating in primary debates. He deemed the requirements for individual donors and sharing their information as unreasonable and refused to comply.
October 26, 2023: End of Presidential Campaign and Endorsement of Trump
Elder concluded his campaign for president on October 26, 2023. He subsequently endorsed Donald Trump for the presidency.
2023: Criticism of Biden Administration
Larry Elder attributes the ongoing migrant border situation to the Biden administration's policies. He further criticizes Biden's potential 2024 reelection campaign, particularly the likelihood of Kamala Harris remaining as his running mate.
2024: Elder prioritizes crime as a key issue in 2024 presidential campaign
In 2024, Elder launched his presidential campaign, prominently featuring crime as a central issue on his campaign website, reflecting his strong support for law enforcement.
2024: Criticism of Biden's Potential Reelection Campaign
Larry Elder attributes the ongoing migrant border situation to the Biden administration's policies. He further criticizes Biden's potential 2024 reelection campaign, particularly the likelihood of Kamala Harris remaining as his running mate.
2024: End of Presidential Campaign
Larry Elder ended his run for the Republican nomination for president in 2024.
2024: Presidential Candidacy Announcement
On April 20, 2023, Larry Elder formally declared his candidacy for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. He emphasized his motivation stemming from a sense of duty to serve his country, given his family's history of military service. Elder believes he can reverse America's perceived decline and usher in a new golden age.