Early Life and Career Beginnings
Matt Drudge, born on October 27, 1966, in Takoma Park, Maryland, is an American journalist best known for founding the Drudge Report in 1995.
Drudge spent his formative years in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Takoma Park. In 1989, a few years after completing high school, he relocated to Los Angeles, securing a job at CBS Television’s studio gift shop.
- His position at the studio exposed him to behind-the-scenes industry conversations, sparking an interest in media.
- In 1994, his father gifted him a computer, a pivotal moment that led to the creation of an e-mail newsletter covering entertainment gossip he gathered from the studio lot.
By early 1995, Drudge launched the Drudge Report from his home. A year later, he left his day job and transitioned to political reporting, shifting his focus beyond Hollywood.
Rise to Prominence
Drudge quickly gained attention within media and political circles. During the 1996 presidential race, he broke the news of Sen. Bob Dole’s vice-presidential pick before any mainstream outlet.
- His ability to report exclusives set him apart, making his platform a go-to source for political leaks.
In 1997, he made headlines by publishing details about Kathleen Willey’s sexual harassment allegations against President Bill Clinton.
- His source was an unpublished Newsweek article, demonstrating his knack for uncovering withheld stories.
However, his reporting came with challenges. That same year, Sidney Blumenthal, a White House aide, sued Drudge for $30 million over an article that falsely accused him of spousal abuse.
- Although Drudge later retracted the story, the lawsuit highlighted the risks of independent reporting in the digital age.
The Lewinsky Scandal and Widespread Recognition
By early 1998, Drudge became a household name. In January, he broke the Monica Lewinsky scandal, beating mainstream media to one of the biggest political stories of the decade.
- Newsweek had prepared an article on Bill Clinton’s affair with Lewinsky but opted to delay its publication.
- Drudge, having learned about this, published the news on January 17, making the scandal public knowledge.
Following the revelation, Drudge defended his methods before the National Press Club, calling himself a “citizen journalist” who exposed stories the mainstream press ignored.
- His bold approach was praised by those who believed the Internet was revolutionizing news dissemination.
- Website traffic skyrocketed—his site, which previously received one million hits per day, saw an over tenfold increase.
Television and Radio Ventures
Drudge’s newfound fame led to a weekly show on Fox News and a radio program on ABC.
- However, his time on Fox News was short-lived. In November 1999, he accused the network of censorship and refused to air an episode after they blocked his plan to display a controversial image related to abortion.
- Fox viewed the photo—of a 21-week-old fetus undergoing surgery—as a misrepresentation, leading to his dismissal.
ABC also had plans to expand his radio show nationally, but in late 2000, he was fired from the network.
- These conflicts underscored his independent and often confrontational journalistic style.
Continued Influence and Legacy
Despite these setbacks, Drudge remained a powerful figure in alternative media. His 2001 book, The Drudge Manifesto, became a bestseller, solidifying his status as an influential media personality.
- That same year, he launched The Matt Drudge Show on WABC radio, which ran until 2007.
Meanwhile, the Drudge Report continued to thrive, serving as a politically influential yet sometimes unreliable news source.
- His platform’s ability to break major stories ensured that politicians, journalists, and the public alike continued to monitor it for breaking news and political scoops.
