Tim Murtaugh

Tim Murtaugh is a Washington Times columnist and founder of the Line Drive Public Affairs firm he still leads. A longtime Republican communications strategist, he is a veteran of many state, federal, and national political campaigns, including as a senior advisor on the 2024 Trump campaign and as communications director for the 2020 Trump campaign. A former radio and television reporter, he is also the author of the Amazon bestselling book, “Swing Hard in Case You Hit it: My Escape from Addiction and Shot at Redemption on the Trump Campaign.

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Columns by Tim Murtaugh

Actor Woody Harrelson attends the premiere of Focus Features' "Champions" at AMC Lincoln Square on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Woody Harrelson proves media has learned nothing about COVID-19 in last three years

You'd think that after three years of getting almost everything about COVID-19 wrong, the national news media would pause before reacting hysterically to anything related to the pandemic. Published March 2, 2023

Illustration on denial of the Hunter Biden laptop's implications by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Hunter laptop deniers try to rewrite history as House Republicans investigate

Now that everyone acknowledges that Hunter Biden's laptop is authentic, just as it was when first reported by the New York Post in October 2020, some pretty aggressive rewriting of history is going on. Published February 16, 2023

Illustration on media interference and protecting Democrats by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Media try to protect Democrats from their unpopular opposition to gas stoves

There's a running joke among GOP communicators that makes fun of how the media portrays the Republican response to actions or statements from Democrats. Published February 2, 2023

Illustration on the media and Biden by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Media suddenly challenging Biden, but can they keep it up?

It doesn't happen that often, but President Biden has been getting some bad press lately. Published January 22, 2023

Illustration on continued liberal media bias by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Journalists’ glee over speaker fight bodes ill for future coverage of GOP House

A new year brings promises of fresh starts, renewed commitments to achieving goals, and a national press corps completely in the tank for Democrats. Published January 5, 2023

The Twitter application is seen on a digital device Monday, April 25, 2022, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Conservatives should resist celebrating Twitter’s muzzling of political opponents

There's a German word, schadenfreude, which has gained popularity in this country in recent years. Published December 22, 2022

Twitter Exposing Lies about Hunter Biden's laptop Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

‘Twitter Files’ spur new wave of media dishonesty over Hunter Biden’s laptop

Elon Musk, has begun releasing the "Twitter Files" -- a peek at the internal communications surrounding the tech firm's decision to censor the New York Post's story about Hunter Biden's laptop. Published December 8, 2022

Joe and Hunter Biden and the laptop Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

CBS News abandons Hunter Biden’s laptop denial 25 months too late

CBS News has declared Hunter Biden's laptop to be authentic, calling to mind one of the old "Far Side" comics by Gary Larson. Published November 24, 2022

Illustration on media coverage of the midterm elections by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Roller-coaster week for liberal media: Bracing for Dems’ defeat then giddy at GOP trickle

What a weird election. Republicans had looked forward to the midterms with great anticipation, figuring that inflation and crime were problems for which voters would punish President Biden's Democrats. Published November 10, 2022

Illustration on media coverage of John Fetterman's stroke by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Media at war with themselves on how to cover Fetterman’s infirmity

If you follow politics, by now you probably know about Democrat John Fetterman's unsettling performance in the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate debate against Republican Mehmet Oz this week. Published October 27, 2022

Illustration on corporate newspaper and television media by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Corporate media in death spiral because consumers are looking elsewhere

There used to be a saying in media relations that you didn't pick a fight with someone who bought ink by the barrel. Published October 13, 2022

DeSantis and the Hurricane Ian Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

‘Hurricane Ian vs. Ron DeSantis’ narrative proves irresistible to media

Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida on Wednesday as a wicked Category 4 monster with winds of up to 150 miles an hour. Published September 29, 2022

Biden farms out freedom of speech dirty work to Big Tech illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Biden admin. farms out anti-First Amendment dirty work to Big Tech

The Internet and its social media channels have provided the most significant advancements for free speech in hundreds of years, probably since Gutenberg invented the printing press. Published September 15, 2022

Illustration on shutting down free speech by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

The FBI, Facebook & leftist podcasters: All enemies of free speech

Two incidents in just the past week, though seemingly unconnected, demonstrated how ominous, and at times absurd, the leftist desire to control all information available to the public. Published September 1, 2022

Liz Cheney - Martyr of the Trump Wars Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Media find a hero in Liz Cheney, before and after epic election defeat

An ancient proverb -- "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" -- perfectly illustrates the relationship between the corporate media and soon-to-be-former Rep. Liz Cheney. Published August 18, 2022

Illustration on Biden's denial of a recession by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Liberal media heed White House call to redefine ‘recession’

It's safe to assume that no president wants the economy to fall into a recession, particularly headed into a midterm election in which his party could lose control of Congress. Published August 4, 2022

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks with reporters as she joins female House Democrats at an event ahead of a House vote on the Women's Health Protection Act and the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, July 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Democrats always know corporate media will help them

In conservative communications circles, operatives often lament, "It must be so easy to be a Democrat." Published July 21, 2022

Democrats and Abortion Policy Illustration by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

If abortion politics helped Democrats, there would be no need to lie about it

The corporate media are watching President Biden's poll numbers fall every week, dragging with them the midterm electoral prospects of Democrats across the country. Published July 7, 2022

Illustration on Biden disinformation leading up to the mid-term elections by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Media attempt to reframe midterm elections to protect Biden

The midterm elections are coming, and President Biden's Democrats are in big trouble. Published June 23, 2022

President Joe Biden speaks with host Jimmy Kimmel during a commercial break during the taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Los Angeles prior to attending the Summit of the Americas. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Jimmy Kimmel and media excuses can’t save Biden from himself

In the world according to Democrats, failures are never related to their policies or the results they generate -- it's always a problem of messaging. Published June 9, 2022