Newton Leroy Gingrich (born June 17, 1943, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) is an American Republican politician, author, historian, and political commentator. He served as the 50th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999, representing Georgia's 6th congressional district from 1979 until his resignation in 1999. Gingrich was the key architect of the 1994 Republican Revolution, which resulted in the GOP gaining control of the House for the first time in 40 years, largely through the "Contract with America," a legislative agenda promoting conservative reforms in welfare, taxes, and government spending. His tenure as Speaker ended amid internal party conflicts and an ethics scandal, leading to a reprimand and fine in 1997 for misleading statements related to political fundraising.

Beyond Congress, Gingrich served as a member of the Defense Policy Board under chairman Richard Perle and is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), contributing to national security and foreign policy discussions. He founded Gingrich Productions, was a Fox News contributor, and authored numerous books on history, politics, and fiction that promote his vision of American renewal. In 2012, he was a Republican presidential candidate, finishing second to Mitt Romney. Subsequently, he became a vocal supporter and informal adviser to Donald Trump on Republican strategy. Gingrich is known for his conservative and pro-Israel views, maintaining strong ties to think tanks, media, and political action committees and remaining a significant figure in modern conservatism.

Gingrich holds a Ph.D. in history from Tulane University and taught at West Georgia College prior to his political career. His personal life, marked by two divorces amid allegations of infidelity, has drawn public scrutiny, contrasting with his advocacy for family values. In 2009, he converted to Catholicism, aligning with his third wife, Callista Gingrich, a former congressional aide and documentary filmmaker. Despite criticism for his combative rhetoric and ethics issues, Gingrich's legacy as a former Speaker, Republican leader, and influential conservative policy advocate remains central to his political career.