CNN has chosen anchor Jake Tapper to co-host the upcoming presidential debate on June 27, a highly anticipated event that is expected to spark debate between Tapper and former President Donald Trump.
In addition to his role as lead Washington anchor at CNN, Tapper hosts the weekday news show “The Lead with Jake Tapper” and co-hosts the Sunday morning show “State of the Union.” Known for his tough but objective reporting on national politics, Tapper has been praised by the American Political Science Association for his contributions to the public’s understanding of presidential politics.
Tapper has received numerous awards throughout his career, including two News & Documentary Emmy Awards for his coverage of the “Russian Invasion of Ukraine” and “Live from the Capitol: One Year Later.” With an annual salary of over $13 million, Tapper is one of the highest-earning television hosts in the industry.
Despite his success moderating previous debates involving Trump, Tapper has been openly critical of the former president. Critics have claimed that Tapper’s bias against Trump has compromised his credibility as a journalist.
A list of instances where Tapper has attacked Trump with critical remarks has been compiled, highlighting the contentious relationship between the two figures:
- Claimed Trump “continues to lie to the American people” about coronavirus testing.
- Suggested Trump was a nightmare: “For tens of millions of our fellow Americans, their long national nightmare is over.”
- Retweeted a post that called Trump “100% insane.”
- Suggested Trump tried to kill democracy.
- Shamed Trump upon being hospitalized for the coronavirus.
- Described Trump’s presidency as a “disaster.”
- Reported twice on Trump’s penis.
- Questioned the 2016 election by perpetrating the Russia Collusion Hoax.
- Ordered CNN’s control room not to cover Trump live.
- Refused to cover Trump live due to “potentially dangerous” content.
- Claimed Trump was a “rather angry defendant, saying there’s no case here.”
