We've recently documented the close relationship between Donald Trump and the right-wing website Newsmax, which has been promoting Trump's potential presidential candidacy. Now, U.S. News & World Report's Paul Bedard has spoken with Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy, and Ruddy has confirmed that “Trump realizes the great potential of Newsmax and has been using it very adroitly” and that Newsmax is “happy” he's doing so.

Ruddy also responded to our description of Newsmax as an “early and enthusiastic promoter of Trump's presidential ambitions.” Bedard wrote: “Ruddy has no problem with that description. 'Media Matters is right,' he says.”

From Bedard's post on the Washington Whispers blog:

So is there a Trump-Newsmax conspiracy? “Yes,” cheers Ruddy. “Trump realizes the great potential of Newsmax and has been using it very adroitly. We're well aware he's using it, happy he's using it” says Ruddy from the Newsmax HQ in Florida.

“He's been really responsive to our news team here,” says Ruddy, who calls Trump a “friend.”

Recently, the potential 2012 GOP primary candidate dropped by Newsmax's West Palm Beach HQ and even chose it as the place to reveal his American birth certificate, part of his effort to call into question President Obama's birthplace. Ruddy doesn't back the birther movement and says he told Trump that he believes Obama was born in Hawaii.

Media Matters last week put a spotlight on the news site's coverage of Trump, calling it an “early and enthusiastic promoter of Trump's presidential ambitions.”

Ruddy has no problem with that description. “Media Matters is right,” he says.