History of Chris Matthews in Timeline

Chris Matthews is an American political commentator and author, best known for hosting "Hardball with Chris Matthews" on MSNBC from 1997 to 2020. The show focused on political news and interviews. He retired from MSNBC following accusations of inappropriate comments made to a guest. Before his television career, Matthews worked as a political aide and speechwriter, drawing from his experience in politics to inform his commentary.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1940: Reference to Fall of France

On February 22, 2020, Matthews referenced Winston Churchill's feeling of disbelief following the fall of France to the Nazis in 1940.

December 17, 1945: Chris Matthews Born

On December 17, 1945, Christopher John Matthews, who later became a political commentator, talk show host, and author, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1967: Graduates from College of the Holy Cross

In 1967, Matthews graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. After graduating, he did graduate work in economics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

1968: Peace Corps Service Begins

In 1968, Matthews began serving in the United States Peace Corps in Swaziland.

1970: Peace Corps Service Ends

In 1970, Matthews ended his service in the United States Peace Corps in Swaziland, where he had been a trade development adviser.

1974: Unsuccessful Congressional Campaign

In 1974, Chris Matthews mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

1980: Marriage to Kathleen Matthews

In 1980, Matthews married Kathleen Matthews, who was a news anchor at WJLA-TV before becoming an executive vice president with Marriott International.

1987: Becomes Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief

In 1987, Matthews became the Washington, D.C., bureau chief for the San Francisco Examiner.

1988: Presidential Election Campaigns Coverage

In 1988, Matthews began covering American presidential election campaigns.

1997: Starts Hardball with Chris Matthews

In 1997, Chris Matthews began hosting his own weeknight talk show, 'Hardball with Chris Matthews', which originally aired on America's Talking before moving to MSNBC. The show featured pundits and elected officials as guests.

1997: Research in National Archives

In 1997, Matthews' research in the National Archives produced a series of exclusives on the Nixon presidential tapes.

1998: Research in National Archives

In 1998, Matthews' research in the National Archives continued to produce a series of exclusives on the Nixon presidential tapes.

1999: Inappropriate comments

In 1999, a female producer of Matthews's program alleged Matthews made inappropriate comments about her in front of colleagues in the workplace

2000: Leaves San Francisco Examiner

In 2000, Matthews concluded his 13-year tenure as the Washington, D.C., bureau chief for the San Francisco Examiner.

2000: Vote for George W. Bush

In 2000, Matthews voted for George W. Bush in the presidential election.

2002: Hospitalized with Malaria

In 2002, Matthews was hospitalized with malaria, which he contracted on one of his visits that year to Africa.

2002: The Chris Matthews Show Airs

In 2002, The Chris Matthews Show began airing in syndication on weekends.

2004: Predicts First Black President

In 2004, at the Democratic National Convention, Matthews predicted that he had "just seen the first Black president."

2005: Pennsylvania Society's Gold Medal

In 2005, Matthews was the recipient of The Pennsylvania Society's Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement.

April 14, 2008: Allusion to Senate Run

On April 14, 2008, during an episode of The Colbert Report, Matthews alluded to the possibility of running for the United States Senate from Pennsylvania.

November 28, 2008: Contacted Obama Staffers

On November 28, 2008, Matthews contacted senior staffers of Barack Obama's campaign regarding a potential Senate run.

2008: Expresses Support for Barack Obama

In 2008, The Huffington Post reported on Matthews's emotional expressions of support for Barack Obama during the Presidential election.

January 7, 2009: Decision Against Senate Run

On January 7, 2009, The New York Times reported that Matthews informed his staff that he would not be running for the Senate.

December 17, 2009: Healthcare Reform Discussion

On December 17, 2009, during a discussion on proposed healthcare reform on Hardball, Matthews made comments about Republicans and liberals keeping score.

March 2012: Describes Himself as Centrist

In March 2012, Matthews described himself as a centrist during an episode of his MSNBC talk show Hardball, which prompted questioning from Mediaite's Josh Feldman.

2013: Contract Extension

In 2013, MSNBC executed a long-term contract with Matthews to retain him with the network at least through the 2016 election.

2013: The Chris Matthews Show Ends

In 2013, The Chris Matthews Show concluded its run in syndication.

May 4, 2014: Commencement Speaker at Ohio State University

On May 4, 2014, Matthews was the commencement speaker at Ohio State University.

May 15, 2015: Commencement Speaker at Merrimack College

On May 15, 2015, Matthews was the commencement speaker at Merrimack College.

2015: Kathleen Matthews's Campaign

In 2015, Kathleen Matthews launched an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination to run for a House seat in Maryland's 8th congressional district.

October 2016: Laura Bassett Appears on Program

In October 2016, Laura Bassett appeared on Matthews's program to comment on sexual assault allegations against then candidate Donald Trump.

2016: Tip O'Neill Irish Diaspora Award

In 2016, Matthews received the Tip O'Neill Irish Diaspora Award.

2016: Inappropriate comments made

In 2016, freelance journalist Laura Bassett accused Matthews of making sexist remarks when she was a guest on “Hardball.

2016: Jamie Raskin Represents District

Since 2016, Maryland's 8th congressional district, where Kathleen Matthews unsuccessfully ran for a House seat in 2015, has been represented by Rep. Jamie Raskin.

December 2017: Details of 1999 Settlement Surface

In December 2017, details surfaced of a 1999 settlement Matthews's employer, MSNBC, reached with a female producer of Matthews's program who alleged Matthews made inappropriate comments about her in front of colleagues in the workplace.

2017: Bassett Publishes Text About Incident

In 2017, Laura Bassett previously published a text about the incident, which did not identify Matthews by name.

December 2018: Interview with Tulsi Gabbard

In December 2018, Matthews interviewed U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who stated she was "seriously considering" running for President.

2018: Cosby Pill Remark

In 2018, during a setup for a television interview with Hillary Clinton, Matthews stated out loud "where was the Cosby pill" that he brought with him.

February 7, 2020: Comments on Bernie Sanders and Cuba

On February 7, 2020, during a panel discussion following a Democratic Party presidential candidate debate in New Hampshire, Matthews made comments referencing Bernie Sanders's praise for aspects of Fidel Castro's Cuba, sparking controversy.

February 2020: Bassett Alleges Inappropriate Remarks

In February 2020, Laura Bassett alleged that Matthews made inappropriate remarks about her makeup, clothing, and dating life prior to her appearance on his program in 2016.

February 22, 2020: Comments on Nevada Democratic Caucuses

On February 22, 2020, while commenting on the 2020 Nevada Democratic caucuses, Matthews invoked Winston Churchill's feeling of disbelief following the fall of France to the Nazis in 1940 as a metaphor for the feeling of disbelief experienced by establishment figures in the Democratic Party to Bernie Sanders's victory in the state.

March 2, 2020: Announces Retirement from Hardball

On March 2, 2020, Matthews announced his immediate retirement from Hardball, alluding to past claims of inappropriate comments and a recent accusation by Laura Bassett.

November 2020: Expected Retirement

Matthews was initially expected to retire after the 2020 election cycle, with an exit after Election Day in November 2020 likely, before his abrupt resignation in March.

2020: Retirement from Hardball

In 2020, Chris Matthews announced his retirement on his final episode of Hardball, following accusations of inappropriate comments made to a guest four years prior.