I know it sounds crazy, but the Drudge Report seems to be a leading source for anti-Trump articles

I monitor and analyze Drudge as part of my job and you are right, OP—Drudge has turned on Trump. Story selection and framing has been brutal the past few months and acutely bad the last few weeks. Wonder what the story is there.

I noticed about 6 months ago that the DR had become much more balanced in the articles. I agree that there are a number of anti-Trump stories. But I think that is in direct proportion to the increasing number of these type of article being main-streamed.

Two years ago, I would have seldom opened the DR, but I now do open it a couple times a day.

About a year ago it was posited that Drudge sold a majority of his interest in the site, and handed off his editing, to a couple connected to Google. I can't remember where I read this, but I remember seeing stories later on about a 30% drop in traffic to the site.

R3, you are correct. It was sold off. Now all of the articles come from left leaning news sources: NYT, Washington Post, etc.

[quote] I monitor and analyze Drudge as part of my job

Really? What kind of job?

And SFgate, which is doing crackerjack reporting and analysis

With the intention of making sure that I'm up-to-date on what the ultra-right is up to, I've been checking The Drudge Report for years, and, yes, r2, I agree that Matt Drudge has drastically changed his opinion of Trump, and thus, The Drudge Report. I'm hopeful that this new, more reasonable Drudge Report will help at least some of Trump's base, finally, to see the light. Of course, I'm not holding my breath.

Drudge didn’t sell and he still runs the site.

Feud.

I feel like Drudge didn't like Trump in the first place, am I remembering that wrong? It's been a long four years.

When looking for an answer to my question I saw that as long ago as last August, people were noticing Drudge was starting to turn against Trump. Interesting. I wonder if it coincides with the Q folks starting to lose faith in Trump as well?

It really is the perfect site to find a round up of articles about Trump’s crazy yet humdrum activities

Aren't Drudge and Ann Coulter are good friends? A long while ago, possibly here, I read that he and Coulter had been spotted at some Weho bar (drinking buddies?) He and Coulter started turning on Trump over failing to deliver on the wall. Most recently she's endorsed Rich Mitch's opponent (practically squeed about here being a former Marine). Nothing like a mutual support society that a friendship provides. That and being closeted to cement the deal.

I have not even thought about that piece of shit, matt drudge in over a decade. It's a shame to realize he's still alive

I know matt loved george w bush. I also remember drudge being on the wrong side of basically, everything

Don't listen to rumors. Drudge still overseas and has final approval on everything on his site. It's still his baby, and reflects his world view.

Matt Drudge is close with Ann Coulter and also Camille Paglia. Coulter has been publicly trashing Trump for a long time now, loudly. Paglia seemed to vaguely praise Trump in her trademark contrarian way in the past, but I imagine even she can't ignore the Sturm und Drang amongst Trump's formerly faithful. I'd love to hear some of these people's private conversations about him.

Tucker Carlson's last question about Drudge before the interview cut out:

"There were reports, & I think you chronicle this in your book, that earlier in this administration Drudge had become close to the President's son in law Jared Kushner. Are they still close do you know?"

I agree OP. In Drudge's early years I always checked it, and then stopped at some point. It's now useful again.

R17 Will right-wing pundits suddenly start publicly caring that Drudge is gay, in order to subtly smear him. Sleazy!

R16 Yes, and he's also close with Rush Limbaugh, who's the epitome and poster churl of Trump die-hards. So that's gotta be a strained friendship.

Drudge is also a good friend of Donna Brazile.

Drudge? Is the Dubya administration back? That’s when he was last relevant

Coulter has been razzing Trump off and on so many times now, I'm amazed it still gets her a reaction. It always gives her a large bump in ratings/attention/buzz. I'm baffled at the same 50 people on my twitter feed who say, "I can't believe this but for the first time I'm actually agreeing with Ann Coulter." And I'm thinking, "You said that *exact* thing the last twenty times she did this!"

All these pundits reflect their own world view reflected in their platform to varying degrees. Some have to answer to higher-ups or corporations more than others. Some are almost completely independent, despite being famous. There's a "ratings" factor going on here, though. Why would Tucker Carlson do an entire segment on how the famous Drudge Report seems to have turned into a leftist blog? "Everybody go look!" Does he want to help Drudge's popularity? This isn't the first time Drudge's blog has appeared to "swing left." Seems like Tucker is just helping Drudge, and not unintentionally.

Of all the most successful and visible right wing pundits, Coulter seems to be the one who's mostly completely thrown the towel in about the Trump administration. Remember years before Trump ran in 2016 she was saying Trump was one of the last hopes for the right, and he should run for President? And a lot of people dismissed her. Now it's like she's saying the opposite. And a lot of people on the right are dismissing her.

[quote] I'm baffled at the same 50 people on my twitter feed who say, "I can't believe this but for the first time I'm actually agreeing with Ann Coulter." And I'm thinking, "You said that *exact* thing the last twenty times she did this!"

They’re bots?

[quote] With the intention of making sure that I'm up-to-date on what the ultra-right is up to, I've been checking The Drudge Report for years

You need years of checking rightwing websites to make sure they’re still saying the same things that they’ve been saying for years?

[quote]Why did Matt Drudge turn on Donald Trump?

The rats are starting to ump ship they know Trump is going down.

R16: The late Neil Rogers in Miami had this self-loathing closest case figured out years ago, as did David Brock. I'll never understand why Lynn Samuels slobbered all over him and his stupid website. And he's friends with Paglia? That does not surprise me at all.....

R29 - yes, it's an embarrassment this gay man slobbers all over conservative politics - the ones who fought tooth and nail to prevent ANY progress in our rights.

He did 'gift' a house to the man who he lived with for 11 years. Not sure if that's divorce or payoff or what.

Right wing pundits have been turning on the President now and then since 2016. They do it because they know he's listening! Not only does he pay close attention to what they say, he sometimes does exactly what they suggest, or even hires them into major positions within the White House! Another reason this administration is a joke.

Matt Drudge is obviously emotionally stunted and a psychological mess, but he's no dummy. He knows how to get results and takes a bold stab at things using the power of his website. The results are probably hit or miss, but when they're a hit they're a hit. That's why I have my suspicions about him "turning" on Trump via his website. The Tucker Carlson coverage on the matter only deepens my suspicions.

I've been reading tons of anti-Trump articles on drudge, it's an avalanche that never stops

[quote] Drudge is also a good friend of Donna Brazile.

Wow, her and Camille Paglia both.

Is there such a thing as a lesbian-hag? Because he sure is one.

I'll take anything anti Trump I can, but Matt Drudge?

Nope. Never. Sorry but no fucking way.

Drudge can die in the same grease fire he started.

Trying to redeem it now is more than pathetic.

Drudge is a vile cunt who hates Trump because Trump isn't enough of a racist for him. He knocks Trump because Trump didn't actually build the wall.

He can shit in his stupid fucking hat and pull it way down over his Dumbo ears.

Anyone friends with Alex Jones deserves to spend eternity locked in Satan's foreskin.