Career Timeline of Michael Savage: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Michael Savage, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Michael Savage, born Michael Alan Weiner, is an American author, political commentator, activist, and former radio host. He is renowned for hosting "The Savage Nation," a nationally syndicated talk show that was highly popular. Savage holds advanced degrees in fields like medical botany, medical anthropology, and nutritional ethnomedicine. As Michael Weiner, he authored books on health-related topics. Under the name Michael Savage, he has written politically charged books, some of which became New York Times bestsellers. He is known for his conservative views and controversial statements.
February 15, 1970: Birth of son Russell Weiner
On February 15, 1970, Savage's son, Russell Weiner, was born to Savage and his second wife, Janet. Russell is the founder of Rockstar energy drink.
1991: Self-publication of "The Death of the White Male"
In 1991, Savage self-published "The Death of the White Male", arguing against affirmative action and demonstrating his emerging philosophy.
March 21, 1994: Start of Radio Career
On March 21, 1994, Michael Savage began his radio career at KGO in San Francisco, initially as a fill-in host, with the slogan "To the right of Rush and to the left of God."
January 2, 1995: Debut of The Savage Nation on KSFO
On January 2, 1995, Michael Savage debuted as host of the afternoon drive time show The Savage Nation on KSFO, marking the beginning of the station's new conservative talk format.
1999: National Syndication of The Savage Nation Begins
In 1999, Talk Radio Network began syndicating part of The Savage Nation nationally, expanding Michael Savage's reach.
September 21, 2000: The Savage Nation Becomes Entirely National
Starting September 21, 2000, The Savage Nation became an entirely national show distributed by TRN.
2000: Savage Became Most Popular Afternoon Host
By 2000, Michael Savage had become the most popular afternoon drive host among all adults in San Francisco Arbitron ratings.
January 2003: Publication of "The Savage Nation"
In January 2003, Savage published "The Savage Nation: Saving America from the Liberal Assault on Our Borders, Language and Culture" under the pseudonym Michael Savage, attacking liberal media bias, gay activists, and liberals.
March 8, 2003: MSNBC Show Premiere
On March 8, 2003, Michael Savage began hosting a political talk show on MSNBC, despite previous criticisms of the network.
July 7, 2003: Fired from MSNBC
On July 7, 2003, Michael Savage was fired from his MSNBC show after controversial remarks made in response to a caller.
2003: Savage Votes Reluctantly for George W. Bush
In 2003, Savage stated he had voted for George W. Bush "quite reluctantly" in 2000.
January 2004: Publication of "The Enemy Within"
In January 2004, Savage published his second political book "The Enemy Within: Saving America from the Liberal Assault on Our Schools, Faith, and Military."
April 12, 2005: Release of "Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder"
On April 12, 2005, Savage released his book "Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder", which, unlike his previous work, cited sources for controversial claims.
April 2006: Release of "The Political Zoo"
In April 2006, Savage released "The Political Zoo", featuring satirical profiles and cartoons of public figures, mainly liberal, depicted as animals.
2006: Reaches 8-10 Million Listeners
By mid-2006, Michael Savage had 8–10 million listeners per week, making his show the third most widely heard broadcast in the United States.
2006: Savage Donates to Jerry Brown's Campaign
In 2006, Savage donated $5,600 to the campaign of Democratic candidate Jerry Brown in the California Attorney General election.
April 25, 2007: Savage Pledges Donations to U.S. Marines Defense Fund
On April 25, 2007, Savage pledged $1 for each copy of certain books purchased from his website to be donated to the U.S. Marines Defense Fund.
September 10, 2009: KNEW Drops Savage's Program
On September 10, 2009, KNEW in San Francisco announced it was dropping Michael Savage's program due to a shift in philosophical direction.
2009: The Savage Nation's Popularity
In 2009, The Savage Nation was the second most listened-to radio talk show in the United States, with over 20 million listeners on 400 stations.
January 22, 2010: Playboy Interview Offer Revealed
On January 22, 2010, Michael Savage revealed that a writer for Playboy had contacted him to do a lengthy interview, and asked his audience for their opinion.
May 12, 2010: Granted Playboy Interview
On May 12, 2010, Michael Savage revealed that he had granted the interview to Playboy at his home.
June 2010: Playboy Publishes Interview
In June 2010, Playboy published the interview with Michael Savage, which he found to be lacking journalistic objectivity.
September 2010: KTRB Enters Receivership
In September 2010, Michael Savage's program was among the first casualties when San Francisco station KTRB went into receivership.
October 2010: Release of "Trickle Up Poverty"
In October 2010, Savage released "Trickle Up Poverty: Stopping Obama's Attack on Our Borders, Economy, and Security", arguing against Obama's economic policies.
November 2010: Book deal for two thrillers
In November 2010, it was confirmed that Savage had signed a deal to write two thrillers for publisher St. Martin's Press.
September 13, 2011: Release of "Abuse of Power"
On September 13, 2011, Savage released his first political thriller, "Abuse of Power", based on his experiences and set in San Francisco, London and Tel Aviv.
September 27, 2012: Savage's Talk Show Leaves Airwaves
On September 27, 2012, Michael Savage's talk show left the airwaves after he won a legal battle with Talk Radio Network.
September 30, 2012: Video Webcasts via Ustream
On September 30, 2012, Michael Savage began an occasional series of video webcasts via Ustream.
October 17, 2012: New Syndication Deal Announced
On October 17, 2012, Michael Savage and Cumulus Media Networks announced a deal to bring his program back on the air.
October 23, 2012: Michael Savage Syndicated by Cumulus Media
On October 23, 2012, Michael Savage began being syndicated by Cumulus Media and Westwood One, marking a new phase in his radio career.
April 2013: Savage Had 3.5+ Million Weekly Listeners
By April 2013, according to Talkers Magazine, Michael Savage had 3.5+ million weekly listeners.
September 26, 2013: Radio Show Time-Slot Change Announced
On September 26, 2013, Cumulus Media Networks announced that The Savage Nation would move to the 3p-6p ET time-slot starting in January 2014.
January 2014: Radio Show Time-Slot Changed
In January 2014, The Savage Nation would move to the 3p-6p ET time-slot.
2014: Release of "Stop the Coming Civil War"
In 2014, Savage released "Stop the Coming Civil War: My Savage Truth", discussing threats to the country from within and without.
January 2015: Long-Term Contract Renewal
In January 2015, Michael Savage and Westwood One reached agreement on a long-term contract renewal for The Savage Nation.
June 2015: Savage Supports Donald Trump's Candidacy
In June 2015, Savage strongly supported Donald Trump after Trump's announcement of his candidacy in the 2016 United States presidential election.
2015: Release of "Government Zero"
In 2015, Savage released "Government Zero: No Borders, No Language, No Culture", criticizing the state of the country and the Obama presidency.
April 2016: Savage a Major Influence on Trump's Campaign
An April 2016 Salon article described Savage as having been a major influence on Donald Trump's campaign.
November 17, 2016: Savage Inducted into National Radio Hall of Fame
On November 17, 2016, Savage was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, which he described as "the capstone of my career."
2016: Publication of "Scorched Earth"
In 2016, Savage's book "Scorched Earth: Restoring The Country After Obama" was published. This work was a blueprint for how then candidate Donald Trump could help get the country back on the right track should he win the election.
March 2017: Release of "Trump's War"
In March 2017, Savage released "Trump's War: His Battle For America", which became a New York Times Best Seller.
November 2017: Release of "God, Faith, and Reason"
In November 2017, Savage released a non-political book on his search for spiritual truth, titled "God, Faith, and Reason".
December 2017: Savage Criticizes Trump Trophy Hunting Ban Reversal
In December 2017, Michael Savage, described as a long-time animal activist, implored President Trump to reconsider his revoking of an Obama-era trophy hunting ban.
March 2018: Savage Expresses Betrayal over Wildlife Policy
In March 2018, Michael Savage expressed that he "felt betrayed" by the Trump administration's secret decision regarding Fish & Wildlife Service policy, after previously discussing the issue with Trump.
October 2018: Publication of "Stop Mass Hysteria"
In October 2018, Savage published "Stop Mass Hysteria: America's Insanity from the Salem Witch Trials to the Trump Witch Hunt", discussing historical "flashpoints" in American thought and relating them to Trump hatred.
January 2019: Podcast Format Introduced
In January 2019, Michael Savage in collaboration with Westwood One introduced a podcast format featuring a mixture of live-broadcast and studio material.
March 24, 2019: 25th Anniversary of The Savage Nation
On March 24, 2019, Michael Savage celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Savage Nation radio show.
June 2019: Publication of "A Savage Life"
In June 2019, Savage published a new book of stories and anecdotes entitled "A Savage Life".
August 2019: Calls for Reversal of Cyanide Bomb Reauthorization
In August 2019, Michael Savage called on the White House and the US Environmental Protection Agency to reverse approval of the Trump administration's reauthorization of the use of cyanide bombs against wild animals.
2019: Launched Podcast
In 2019 Michael Savage launched a podcast. The Savage Nation Podcast posted episodes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
January 31, 2020: Savage Calls for a Stop to Flights from China
On January 31, 2020, Savage called for a stop to flights from China due to the coronavirus outbreak.
April 16, 2020: Savage Credited for Taking COVID-19 Seriously
On April 16, 2020, a New York Times article credited Savage for being one of the first in the media to take the COVID-19 epidemic seriously.
2020: Savage Endorses Trump for President
Despite disagreements with some of Trump's actions and policies, in 2020 Savage endorsed Trump for president in the United States presidential election.
2020: Savage Nominated to The Presidio Trust Board
In 2020, Savage was nominated by Donald Trump to serve on the Board of Directors of The Presidio Trust.
January 1, 2021: The Savage Nation Discontinued
On January 1, 2021, Cumulus Media and Westwood One discontinued The Savage Nation, ending Michael Savage's long-running syndicated radio show.
May 20, 2021: Savage Ordered to Resign from The Presidio Trust Board
On May 20, 2021, Savage was formally ordered by the Biden administration to resign from his position on the Board of Directors of The Presidio Trust.
January 20, 2025: New Program on Newsmax Announced
On January 20, 2025, during President Trump's Inauguration, Michael Savage announced that he will be hosting a new program on Newsmax called The Michael Savage Show.
