Finding Matt Drudge
In the world of media and journalism, few names hold as much sway and mystique as Matt Drudge, the elusive force behind “The Drudge Report.” Despite being perhaps the most important media influencer of the last generation, very little is known about him. While his Drudge Report acts as the unofficial assignment editor for major newspapers and cable news networks, Drudge is rarely seen. In the last decade, he has gone from being the hero of the Trump right for his support of Donald Trump in 2016, to traitor to the Trump movement for turning against Trump in the lead up to the 2020 election. Some question whether Drudge even runs his own site anymore. It would be useful to ask him, but few know where to find him. The last public interview he gave was almost a decade ago.
Episodes
Join political journalist Chris Moody on a journey that follows Matt Drudge's meteoric rise from lowly gift shop clerk to political kingmaker, a career fueled by gossip, scoops and an insatiable desire for relevance. But not long after The Drudge Report became a media powerhouse, Drudge retreated into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. This episode lays the groundwork for the show's goal to find and better...
Host Chris Moody takes a trip back to the 90s in search for the origins of The Drudge Report. Matt Drudge rises from Internet obscurity to national fame with a sensational scoop about President Bill Clinton and a White House intern. He becomes a star overnight, but this fedora-wearing newcomer remains an enigma to the media elite.
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The Drudge Report has played an outsized role in political media for decades. Journalists wanted their stories linked on the site--they still do--and they went to great lengths to get it. Host Chris Moody travels to Washington, D.C. to talk to prominent journalists and analysts to get a better understanding of the power and influence of Drudge in shaping the media narrative. If you have a great Matt Drudge story, call the hotline a...
Host Chris Moody talks to Democratic campaign operatives about how they viewed the Drudge Report -- and how they tried to influence coverage on the site. Moody speaks extensively to Tracy Sefl, an adviser to Hillary Clinton's first presidential campaign, who was probably closer to Drudge than almost any Republican at the time. If you have a great Matt Drudge story, remember to call the hotline at 301-200-2414 and tell Chris about i...
Host Chris Moody explores Matt Drudge's increasing recluviness, his site's flirtation with conspiracy and how he became as relevant as ever when Donald Trump entered the 2016 presidential race. Moody interviews Trump campaign operatives about Drudge's relationship with Trump -- and how Drudge played a role in Trump's 2016 electoral success. If you have a great Matt Drudge story, remember to call the hotline at 301-200-2414 and tell...
Host Chris Moody travels to Florida to get to the bottom of why Matt Drudge turned against Donald Trump in the run up to the 2020 election after supporting him in 2016. Moody talks to former White House officials to understand what happened and tracks down the last journalist to speak with Drudge on the record. Listeners will also get an inside description of Drudge's Florida compound, which is currently for sale. If you have a gre...
Host Chris Moody speaks to Joseph Curl, who edited the Drudge Report from 2010 to 2014 and was Drudge's first full time employee. In an extensive interview, Curl reveals never before told details about The Drudge Report and his interactions with Matt Drudge. If you have a great Matt Drudge story, remember to call the hotline at 301-200-2414 and tell Chris about it!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Host Chris Moody provides breaking news on Matt Drudge finally responding to the podcast. Moody and podcast creator Jamie Weinstein travel to Las Vegas to search for Drudge in a city he's spent a lot of time in over the years. If you have a great Matt Drudge story, remember to call the hotline at 301-200-2414 and tell Chris about it!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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