John Avlon

John Avlon is a journalist, political commentator, and author who has had a significant presence in the media landscape. He served as the editor-in-chief and managing director of "The Daily Beast" from 2013 to 2018, and in 2018, he joined CNN full-time as a Senior Political Analyst. Avlon has made appearances on several television shows, including "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "The Daily Show," and "Real Time with Bill Maher." Additionally, he has lent his expertise to the History Channel docuseries "Thomas Jefferson" as a commentator.

As an author, Avlon has contributed several books to the political discourse. His works include "Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America," "Lincoln and the Fight for Peace," and "Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics." In 2024, he ventured into politics, running for a U.S. House of Representatives seat in New York's 1st congressional district, although his bid was unsuccessful. He is also a co-founder of No Labels, a bipartisan political group, illustrating his commitment to balanced and inclusive politics.

Avlon's roles extend beyond journalism and politics; he also contributes his time and expertise to several organizations. He serves on the board of governors for the Overseas Press Club and the board of directors for the House of Speakeasy. He is the Chair of the Citizens Union Board of Directors, a clear indication of his civic involvement.