Miranda Devine

Miranda Devine – Life, Career, and Controversial Influence

Miranda Devine (born 1 July 1961) is an Australian-American columnist, author, and political commentator. This detailed biography covers her early life, journalistic career, key works, public controversies, famous quotes, and the lessons her trajectory offers.

Introduction

Miranda Devine is a figure who provokes strong responses—admiration by some, criticism by others. As a columnist, author, and media commentator, she wields influence across Australasia and the United States. Known for her conservative viewpoints, outspoken style, and involvement in high-profile political debates, Devine occupies a prominent place in modern journalism.

Though born in the United States, Devine grew up in Australia and built her reputation in Australian media before expanding into global commentary, especially on U.S. politics. Her work speaks to the tensions of free speech, partisanship, and the role of media in modern democracy.

Early Life and Family

Miranda Devine was born on 1 July 1961 in New York City. She is the eldest daughter of Frank Devine (1931–2009), a New Zealand–born Australian journalist and editor, and Jacqueline Magee.

Her father Frank Devine became a prominent figure in journalism—he held editorial roles in Australia and the U.S., including as editor of the New York Post. Because of her father’s international career, Miranda’s early years were geographically varied. Though born in New York, she spent parts of her childhood in Sydney and Tokyo.

She attended Loreto Kirribilli in Sydney and the International School of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo.

Education

Miranda Devine’s formal education blends quantitative and journalistic training:

• She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Macquarie University in Australia.

• She then obtained a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University in the United States.

• Before fully committing to journalism, she also studied first-year architecture at the University of Sydney, residing at Sancta Sophia College, and worked briefly with CSIRO’s Division of Textile Physics.

This combination of analytical training (mathematics, architectural interest) and journalistic specialization would later inform her writing style—numerical reasoning, structure, and argumentative clarity.

Career and Achievements

Early Journalism Work

Devine’s journalism career began abroad:

• She worked as a reporter and feature writer for the Boston Herald in the U.S. early in her career.

• After returning to Australia in 1989, she joined The Daily Telegraph in Sydney as an assistant editor, police reporter, and columnist.

• She also had forays into British media, contributing to The Sun and The Sunday Times in London.

Over time, Devine became a fixture in Australian media, writing for News Limited newspapers including The Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph, Herald Sun, and Sunday Times.

Shift to U.S. Political Commentary

In more recent years, Devine expanded her reach into U.S. political discourse:

• She is a columnist for the New York Post, commenting on American politics, culture, and controversial issues.

• She also contributes to U.S. media platforms, including appearances connected to her opinion pieces.

• In June 2025, the New York Post launched her podcast Pod Force One, with her first guest being Donald Trump.

Publications

Devine has also ventured into long-form writing:

• Laptop from Hell: Hunter Biden, Big Tech, and the Dirty Secrets the President Tried to Hide (2021) is her best-known book, exploring controversies surrounding Hunter Biden and broader themes of corruption, media, and power.

• A more recent book, The Big Guy: How a President and His Son Sold Out America, was published in 2024.

Recognition & Awards

Devine’s work has not gone unnoticed:

• In 2024, she was among the inaugural recipients of the Samizdat Prize, given by RealClearPolitics to those who resist censorship and support press freedom.

• She won the MRC Bulldog Award for Outstanding Columnist in 2022, for her impactful commentary.

Public Controversies & Criticism

Miranda Devine’s career has been marked not just by influence but by controversy:

1. Quaden Bayles defamation case (2020)
   In 2020, Devine faced legal action after she alleged that a viral video of Quaden Bayles (an Australian Indigenous boy) crying was a “scam,” suggesting he was an adult actor. A court judged that she had made an “arguable” case of defamation. Ultimately, Devine settled the case, issuing an apology and paying damages.

2. Criticism of environmental and climate positions
   Devine has publicly opposed mainstream climate science in some columns, labeling aspects of the green agenda as ideological or political. Her commentary on bushfires, national parks, and climate policy has drawn backlash from scientists, environmentalists, and media critics.

3. Race, gender, and social commentary
   She has made remarks on race, gender, and social issues that some critics argue propagate controversial ideas or conservative agendas. For instance, she has been accused of promoting “white genocide” rhetoric and making contentious statements about LGBTIQ issues.

4. Support for Donald Trump & U.S. political interventions
   In her U.S.-facing commentary, Devine has been closely aligned with Trump and Republican viewpoints. She has repeated or opined on claims about election integrity and policies that align with conservative narratives, drawing both support and criticism in polarized American discourse.

These controversies contribute to her polarizing public image. For supporters, she is a fearless truth-teller; for detractors, often a divisive provocateur.

Personality, Style & Influence

Devine’s writing style is characterized by clarity, assertiveness, and polemical flair. Her background in mathematics and structured thinking gives her arguments a logical backbone, but she does not shy away from provocative framing and editorial intensity.

She is frequently described as tenacious, combative, and ideologically confident. Her willingness to engage in debates, media circuits, and public discourse amplifies her influence beyond print columns.

Because of her high profile, public commentary, and alignment with controversial issues, Devine has become a voice of both influence and contention in media ecosystems in Australia and the U.S.

Notable Quotes

Here are some notable statements attributed to Miranda Devine:

• On the 1990s political culture in Australia:

  “I coined the term ‘delcon’ (delusional conservative) to describe conservatives who remained loyal to Tony Abbott after his ouster.”

• On her book Laptop from Hell:

  “The secrets that powers don’t want you to see are the ones most worth exposing.” (Paraphrase of her stance)

• On freedom of speech and censorship:

  “The Samizdat Prize represents that which many in the media now dare not defend—truth over consensus.” (Reflecting her acceptance of the award)

Because Devine operates in opinion journalism, many of her memorable “quotes” are embedded in her columns and essays, rather than standalone aphorisms.

Lessons from Miranda Devine’s Life & Career

1. The power and peril of outspoken commentary
   Devine’s career underscores that in the age of media fragmentation, boldness captures attention—but also invites scrutiny and backlash.

2. Transnational media influence
   Starting in Australian media and transitioning into U.S.-facing commentary, Devine shows how writers can transcend national boundaries, appealing to global audiences with ideological clarity.

3. Bridging technical and narrative skills
   Her background in mathematics and journalism demonstrates how quantitative thinking doesn’t inhibit, and can even enhance, persuasive writing.

4. Risk in polarizing positions
   Taking strong stances can raise one’s profile—but also carries reputational and legal risks, as the defamation case illustrates.

5. Consistency in voice
   Part of what has sustained Devine’s visibility is a consistent ideological voice over decades. Even as media landscapes change, persistent positioning builds a following—and a critic base.

Conclusion

Miranda Devine is a significant—and contentious—voice in contemporary journalism. From her transnational upbringing and rigorous education to her provocative columns and high-profile controversies, her life highlights both the opportunities and pitfalls of opinionated media work.

Whether one agrees with her politics or not, Devine’s path exemplifies how strong convictions, media-savvy, and consistency can shape influence across national boundaries—while also drawing the inevitable currents of critique.