Jake Tapper

Jake Tapper is a highly regarded figure in the field of journalism, known for his work as the lead Washington anchor for CNN, where he hosts "The Lead with Jake Tapper" and co-hosts "State of the Union." Prior to his tenure at CNN, Tapper served as Senior White House Correspondent for ABC News, a position that saw him regularly contributing to "Good Morning America," "Nightline," and "World News with Diane Sawyer." His interviewing skills and comprehensive coverage have earned him recognition, including the Merriman Smith Memorial Award for presidential coverage under deadline pressure.

Throughout his career, Tapper's work has been celebrated with numerous accolades, including multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Live News Specials and Outstanding Live Breaking News Coverage for his in-depth reports on events such as the Russian Invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas War. Notably, Tapper was part of the ABC News team that won an Emmy for the inauguration coverage of President Obama. In addition to his skills in live reporting, Tapper has demonstrated his aptitude for moderating high-profile political debates, including a presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in 2024, watched by over 51 million viewers.

Outside of his journalistic pursuits, Tapper has also established himself as a successful author. His book "The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor" was a New York Times Best Seller and contributed to him receiving the "Tex" McCrary Award for Excellence in Journalism. Tapper's storytelling abilities extend to fiction as well, with his novel "The Hellfire Club" debuting at Number 3 on the New York Times Best Seller list for Hardcover fiction. In 2020, "The Outpost" was adapted into a film, further demonstrating the wide-ranging impact of Tapper's work. In 2025, he published "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," which he co-authored with Alex Thompson.