Early Career in Communications and Advocacy

In 1992, Tapper began his professional career in politics, working as a press secretary for congressional candidate Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky. After the campaign, he served as a congressional press secretary. Tapper later worked for the public relations firm Powell Tate in Washington, D.C., co-founded by Democrats Jody Powell and Sheila Tate. He was also involved with Handgun Control Inc., an organization now known as the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, in 1997.

Transition to Journalism

Tapper transitioned into journalism in the late 1990s. He became a senior writer for the Washington City Paper from 1998 to 1999. During that time, he gained attention for a personal essay describing a date he had with Monica Lewinsky, who was at the center of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. From 1999 to 2002, Tapper served as the Washington correspondent for Salon.com, where he became known for his early critical coverage of the George W. Bush administration’s claims regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Rise at ABC News

In 2003, Tapper joined ABC News, marking a significant turning point in his journalism career. He frequently appeared on the radio program Imus in the Morning and served as a guest host for ABC’s This Week from March 2010 until July 2010, before Christiane Amanpour took over full-time hosting duties. During his tenure at ABC, he became the Senior White House Correspondent and earned three Merriman Smith Awards from the White House Correspondents' Association for excellence in presidential news coverage under deadline pressure.

Work at CNN: The Lead with Jake Tapper

Tapper later joined CNN, where he currently serves as the anchor of The Lead with Jake Tapper. He is also CNN’s Chief Washington Correspondent. Known for his rigorous interviews and tough but fair questioning, Tapper has become one of the network’s leading journalists covering American politics, national security, and public affairs.