In the late 1990s, Matt Drudge, a self-styled journalist and political commentator, utilized the power of the internet to break a significant news story regarding President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, a young intern at the White House. On January 17, 1998, Drudge reported on their alleged affair, which the news media soon seized upon, creating a frenzy of coverage. The story not only touched upon the private lives of public figures but also questioned ethical conduct in the Oval Office. Lewinsky's relationship with Clinton was characterized by intimate encounters occurring during her time in Washington, D.C. as an intern, raising eyebrows about the implications of such a relationship within a power dynamic. As the details emerged, they fueled national debate over the nature of morality and professionalism in politics.The talk of the affair led to a formal investigation known as the Starr investigation, led by independent counsel Kenneth Starr. The inquiry initially began in 1994 as a probe into the Whitewater controversy, but it expanded to include matters surrounding the Lewinsky affair. This ultimately resulted in accusations of perjury and obstruction of justice against Clinton, leading to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in December 1998. Although the Senate later acquitted him, the scandal reshaped public perceptions of Clinton and raised questions about the presidency's integrity.Additionally, the scandal had ramifications that went beyond the political sphere, impacting media consumption habits in America. It exemplified the rise of the internet as a critical source of news and highlighted the changing relationship between politicians and the media. Young people, in particular, began to engage with news in more interactive ways, contrasting greatly with previous generations' consumption patterns, mostly limited to newspapers and television.