Jake Tapper
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Jake Tapper: Asking Tough Questions About The State Of The Union
An election season like no other, and the unprecedented presidency that has followed, emphasized the important role of reporters as independent arbiters and speakers of truth to power.
For Jake Tapper, CNN’s energetic news anchor, it was a logical transition. Calling out the president of the United States for falsehoods, and speaking out against White House sanctioned bigotry, came naturally to the Jewish kid from suburban Philadelphia who never shied from challenging his teachers at day school.
Tapper, 48, was quick to embrace the new role of journalism in a world of “alternative facts,” making a name for himself as a tough interviewer who would not allow his guests to fudge the truth. He even banned Kellyanne Conway, the White House aide and Donald Trump promoter, from his show for lying repeatedly.
In an interview 15 years ago, Tapper, who is also a talented cartoonist and is soon to publish his first novel, described himself as “obnoxious.” But this willingness to be uncompromising has turned out to be a valuable trait in his daily confrontations on CNN.
His strong Jewish upbringing has made Tapper’s faith a part of not only his life, but also his professional career. With anti-Semitism on the rise in America, Tapper made a point of raising the issue and demanding responses from those expected to ensure that Jews live free of bias and hate.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news. All donations are still being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000 until April 24.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
