Jake Tapper is an accomplished American journalist, author, and cartoonist. He is famous for currently serving as the lead Washington anchor for CNN, hosting both the weekday television news show "The Lead with Jake Tapper" and co-hosting the Sunday morning public affairs program "State of the Union." Before his tenure at CNN, he held the position of Senior White House Correspondent at ABC News, earning three Merriman Smith Memorial Awards from the White House Correspondents' Association. His notable book, "The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor," debuted at number 10 on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardback non-fiction in November 2012. Tapper's impactful reporting on veterans and troops also led to his recognition with the "Tex" McCrary Award for Excellence in Journalism from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
American journalist, Jake Tapper currently anchors for CNN, hosting "The Lead with Jake Tapper" on weekdays and co-hosting "State of the Union" on Sundays. Also an author, his influential book, "The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor," debuted at number 10 on The New York Times Best Seller list in November 2012. He developed a strong interest in journalism from a young age.
Jake Tapper was born on March 12, 1969, with the birth name of Jacob Paul Tapper. He hails from New York City, USA. He spent his early childhood in the Queen Village neighborhood of Philadelphia. Tapper, representing a mixed ethnicity of Ashkenazi Jewish, Ulster-Scots/Northern Irish, Scottish, English, German, and French, he holds American nationality. About his family, he was born to Theodore S., a professor of pediatrics at Jefferson Medical College, and Helen Anne Tapper, a retired psychiatric nurse at Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He also has a brother named Aaron J. Hahn Tapper.
Tapper began his educational journey at Akiba Hebrew Academy in Merion, Pennsylvania, and later graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude with a B.A. in history modified by visual studies from Dartmouth College. Tapper also pursued studies at the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television.
Jake Tapper's diverse career in journalism began in 1992 when he served as a Campaign Press Secretary for Democratic congressional candidate Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky. He later worked as her congressional press secretary and was associated with a public relations firm, Powell Tate. Tapper served as a spokesman for Hooters and worked for Handgun Control, Inc. In 1998, he transitioned to full-time journalism, initially as a Senior Writer for the Washington City Paper. His insightful reporting on Enron earned him a nomination for a Columbia University School of Journalism online award.
Tapper joined ABC News in 2003, covering various topics and serving as Senior White House Correspondent. He hosted the CNN news talk show Take Five in 2001 and contributed to multiple publications. Tapper received the Merriman Smith Memorial Award for presidential coverage under deadline pressure in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Despite being passed over for certain roles, including the anchor of This Week, Tapper continued to make significant contributions to ABC News, interviewing prominent figures and receiving recognition for his reporting on the 2008 presidential election.
Jake joined CNN in January 2013, anchoring his own program, "The Lead with Jake Tapper." The show earned recognition, winning three National Headliner Awards in 2013 for its coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing and the Oklahoma tornadoes. In 2015, Tapper took on the role of host for CNN's Sunday political show, "State of the Union," known for his challenging interviews with politicians. He gained further acclaim moderating primary debates, setting viewing records for CNN.
Tapper has received numerous awards, including the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism in 2017. He expanded his role at CNN in 2021 to become the network's lead anchor for major Washington events. Beyond journalism, Tapper has contributed to various publications and made appearances on entertainment shows. He made a cameo on The Rookie in 2022, a testament to his diverse media presence.
Jake published his first novel, "The Hellfire Club," with Little, Brown and Company on April 24, 2018. This political thriller, set in 1950s Washington during the McCarthy era, debuted at Number 3 on the New York Times Best-Seller List for Hardcover fiction. Tapper received praise for his storytelling, with the Associated Press calling it "insightful," Tablet Magazine deeming it "startlingly good," and USA Today noting his page-turning knack. Following the success of his debut, Tapper released the sequel, "The Devil May Dance," in May 2021, continuing the story of Charlie and Margaret Marder.
Additionally, he authored the critically acclaimed book "The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor," recognized by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society with the Tex McCrary Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2014. A film adaptation of "The Outpost" was released in July 2020. Beyond his novels, Tapper has written on various topics, including the 2000 Presidential election in "Down and Dirty: The Plot to Steal the Presidency," and the Jesse Ventura story in "Body Slam." Tapper's diverse talents extend to his contributions to comic strips, cartoons, and even guest-illustrating the Dilbert cartoon in 2016, with proceeds supporting the Homes for our Troops Foundation.
Merriman Smith Memorial Awards (Broadcast Journalism):
Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism (2017):
Other Awards in 2017:
Vetty (2018):
Mediaite Ranking (December 2010):
National Headliner Awards (2016):
Los Angeles Press Club President's Award for Impact on Media (2017):
Honorary Degrees:
Jake Tapper is happily married to his wife, Jennifer Marie Brown, whom he wed in 2006 in her home state of Missouri. Jennifer, a former Planned Parenthood official, and Jake reside in Washington, D.C., with their two children, Alice and Jack. Alice, between the ages of 9 and 11, achieved remarkable accomplishments, creating a Girl Scout Raise Your Hand patch and authoring a New York Times op-ed and a picture book titled "Raise Your Hand." Her initiatives aim to encourage girls to be more confident in school, a cause she also discussed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The Tapper family is enjoying their life a lot.
Jake Tapper, a multifaceted journalist, author, and cartoonist, has a net worth estimated at $78 million as of 2023. With an annual salary of $13 million and a monthly income reaching $666,000 USD, Tapper's primary source of wealth stems from his successful journalism career, notably with CNN, where he stands as one of the highest-paid television hosts. As an accomplished author, Tapper has published several best-selling books, earning him numerous awards and millions in royalty income.
His financial portfolio includes substantial investments and assets, solidifying his status as one of the richest journalists in the United States. Residing in a luxurious 8,400 square-foot house in New York, purchased for $10 million, Tapper's residence features 7 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a pool, and various amenities. His assets encompass 5 real estate properties, 6 cars, including a recently acquired Volvo XC90 and a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and a luxury yacht. With cash reserves exceeding $8 million and an investment portfolio of 7 stocks valued at $9 million, Tapper leads a lavish lifestyle fueled by his successful career.
Jake Tapper, standing at a striking height of 6 feet, is a handsome man with a well-maintained bodyweight of 79 kilograms. His eyes are dark brown and his hair is light brown. He has got a healthy body as he maintains his body a lot by hitting the gym.
Jake is a devoted lifelong fan of Philadelphia sports teams, a loyalty he proudly showcased after Super Bowl LII when the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the New England Patriots with a score of 41–33. Having attended the game, Tapper delightedly phoned in as a "mystery guest" to New Day with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman to boast about the Eagles' victory, playfully taunting Berman, a Massachusetts native and lifelong Patriots fan. In response, Berman graciously congratulated Tapper on the Eagles' well-deserved triumph.
Jake Tapper's breakthrough moment occurred in 2013 when he joined CNN. The announcement came on December 20, 2012, revealing that Tapper would become part of CNN, anchoring a new weekday program, and assuming the role of the network's chief Washington correspondent. His tenure with CNN commenced in January 2013, marking the debut of his own program, "The Lead with Jake Tapper," where he brought his distinctive style and journalistic expertise to a broader audience.
He is actively participates in numerous charitable initiatives, dedicating his efforts to causes related to education, veterans' rights, and children's welfare. Demonstrating a commitment to making a positive impact on society, Tapper utilizes his influential platform to support various organizations striving to bring about positive change in these critical areas.
Jake is a dedicated husband and father, having tied the knot with his wife, Jennifer Marie Brown, a former Planned Parenthood official, in 2006 in her home state of Missouri. The couple shares a loving family with two children, Alice and Jack. Remarkably, Alice, between the ages of 9 and 11, has actively engaged in philanthropy, creating a Girl Scout "Raise Your Hand" patch, writing a corresponding New York Times op-ed, and even penning a picture book titled "Raise Your Hand." The book aims to inspire girls to embrace confidence in school, a cause Alice passionately discussed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Tapper's commitment to family values is evident through the positive endeavors of both himself and his children.