Drudge Report Posts Record Web Traffic Despite Trump’s Slide in Polls
The Drudge Report recorded 1.47 billion page views in July, the highest traffic in the conservative aggegation site’s 21-year history.
Drudge is typically a traffic monster, but SimilarWeb reported that July’s audience figures pushed the site ahead of Disney, Yahoo, Google and Time Warner among the most visited media publishers in the Unites States.
Drudge finished No. 2 overall among all U.S. media publishers, behind only MSN and its nearly 2 billion page views.
Drudge had been No. 3 overall in June but jumped ahead of Disney despite a significant disadvantage in visits from Facebook.
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Disney had 33 million visitors from Facebook in the second quarter of 2016, compared to only 515,000 for Drudge. The overwhelming Facebook totals didn’t help Disney stay in front of Drudge, as the conservative news site jumped Disney to claim the No. 2 spot on the SimilarWeb list.
The ascendancy of Drudge Report comes even as the poll numbers have flagged for Donald Trump — whose campaign has gotten a big boost from Drudge since he entered the presidential race last summer.
Drudge’s numbers are remarkable, he’s essentially a one-man operation and his own news judgment runs the site. Drudge rose to fame back in 1998 when his coverage of the Monica Lewinsky scandal put him on the map in the early days of the Internet. Almost two decades later, Drudge is not only relevant but topping massive media corporations.
SimilarWeb tracks publications, in addition to publishers, and Drudge was behind only MSN during the month of July. Drudge’s news aggregation site topped Google News, ESPN, CNN, Fox News, BuzzFeed and the New York Times in page views, according to the data.
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The top story on Drudge for most of Monday morning as a link to a tweet comparing the hairstyles of Trump and Hillary Clinton, with the message “After shifting policies to mirror Trump… now she copies his hair!” He did post a tiny headline, linking to the SimilarWeb data.
Somewhere, a SimilarWeb editor is smiling at the traffic bump Drudge provided.
17 Billionaires and Celebrities Who Could Run for President in 2020 (Photos)
President Gallery Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign will probably motivate other billionaires and celebrities to run for office in 2020. From Mark Cuban offering to be Hillary Clinton’s running mate to Kanye West declaring early, here are 14 potential candidates.
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Billionaire entrepreneur and "Shark Tank" star Mark Cuban was reportedly courted by anti-Donald Trump conservatives as an alternative candidate in 2016.
Also Read: Mark Cuban Volunteers to Be Hillary Clinton’s VP, for Real (Video)
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Starbucks CEO and chairman Howard Schultz, who considered a run for the 2016 Democratic nomination, has a rags-to-riches story that could win over the American public.
Also Read: Ivanka Trump Blasts NY Times Expose on Her Father: ‘He’s Not a Groper’ (Video)
Kanye West Getty ImagesKanye West announced his candidacy for the 2020 at last year’s MTV Video Music Awards. We have no idea if he's serious.
Also Read: Kanye West for President 2020? It’s Not as Crazy as You Think
dwayne johnson the rock seven bucks youtube Brian Bowen SmithFormer wrestling star and actor Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson is a Republican who recently tweeted about running for office.
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GeorgeClooney Getty ImagesGeorge Clooney could emerge as the Democratic version of Ronald Reagan.
Michael Bloomberg Getty ImagesFormer New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg hinted at a potential run in 2016, but 2020 could end up being a better fit.
Also Read: Michael Bloomberg Rules Out Presidential Run in 2016
Jesse Ventura Getty ImagesFormer WWE star Jesse Ventura was governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003 and has hinted at a presidential bid.
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Angelina Jolie once said she’s “open” to a career in politics. She also told Vanity Fair, “If you really want to make an extreme change, then you have a responsibility.”
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John Elway Getty ImagesFormer NFL star and current Denver Broncos executive John Elway is a Republican with the fan base and speaking ability to make an impact in politics.
Also Read: Denver Broncos Defeat Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50
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Howard Stern ran in New York’s gubernatorial race back in 1994. Trump's success proves anything is possible.
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Tim McGraw Getty ImagesTim McGraw is a longtime Democrat who once told Esquire magazine he could run in a Tennessee Senate or gubernatorial race. Maybe by 2020 he'll be ready for a bigger prize.
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Oprah Winfrey has denied interest in the past but deserves a spot on this list because she's asked about running so often.
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Ben Affleck on Real Time With Bill Maher HBOBen Affleck might be busy with the Batman and DC Comics franchise, but he's another famous actor who has floated the idea of a second career in politics.
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Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos recently said that Donald Trump does not act appropriately for a presidential candidate. Maybe Bezos will show us how it's done.
Also Read: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos Fires Back at Donald Trump Threat
Leonardo DiCaprio Oscars Revenant Best Actor Getty ImagesLeonardo DiCaprio recently used his Oscar speech to make a political statement on climate change.
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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Getty ImagesFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made it clear that his company wants to appear fair to conservatives. Could he be setting things up to appeal to both sides of the aisle?
Also Read: Mark Zuckerberg: I Know Many Conservatives Don’t Trust Facebook
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Ivanka Trump could potentially give conservatives a 16-year stretch of Trumps in the White House.
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Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign might motivate other billionaires and celebrities to run for office in 2020
Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign will probably motivate other billionaires and celebrities to run for office in 2020. From Mark Cuban offering to be Hillary Clinton’s running mate to Kanye West declaring early, here are 14 potential candidates.
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