National Enquirer: ‘Getting the real story’, interview with Paul David Pope

The National Enquirer is one of the most influential newspapers in the United States. It was founded by Gene Pope, who inherited from his father - the Italian-American Generoso - the newspaper Il Progresso. We interviewed Paul David Pope, Gene's son. Gene died in 1988, the following year the tabloid was sold to AMI. David Pope wrote the book “The Deeds of my Fathers, a book about the history of the National Enquirer”. A museum dedicated to the tabloid has also been inaugurated these days.

Q. How do you remember your father's work at the National Enquirer? 

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A. My father was a workaholic- I spent a lot of time with him at the office. 

Q. Did you ever go to the office with him?

A. I started working with my dad at the paper when I was just 10 years old.

Q. The type of journalism inaugurated with National Enquirer was based on sex and gore. How do you consider it?

A. When my dad started the National Enquirer is was more about sex and gore, then it shifted to celebrity news. He was always interested in getting the real story. 

Q. Your book "The Deeds of My Fathers" is a saga of New York and national politics in the 20th century, the birth and rise of the tabloid media, the influence of the Italian-American community, the involvement of organized crime in legitimate businesses , including dealings with the CIA and famed mobsters Frank Costello, Albert Anastasia. What is your idea of that period?

A. A quote from Kirkus Reviews in regards to my book “The Deeds of My Fathers” sums it up very well: “A richly detailed tale of businessmen, mobsters, politicians that reads like a soap opera written by Mario Puzo… Pope provides engrossing stories about II Progresso’s influence in New York and national elections, the long battle to win a place for the sensational [National] Enquirer at supermarket checkouts and Gene’s tyrannical insistence on concocting gripping articles for the tabloid’s millions of readers… Readable and revealing, and the vividly re-created scenes cry out for a film treatment.”

Q. How did you do the research? 

A. Also, in regard to my research, I did many interviews, went through government archives, CIA archives. I didn’t leave any stone unturned, as my father taught me.

Q. How do you think the Italian-Americans contributed to creating an American (or New York) culture?

A. Italian Americans have contributed to American society for decades and still do to this day. They have contributed so much- work ethic, music, art, food, etc.

Q. Have you ever been in Italy?

A. Yes, I have been to Italy. I saw my trip back in 2001 as a mission to honor my grandfather, Generoso Pope Sr. He persevered and realized the fulfillment of the American dream.

Q. Are you working on another book? 

A. Yes, I am currently working on a new book.  

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