Jake Tapper is one of the two moderators of Thursday’s presidential debate, along with CNN’s chief political correspondent Dana Bash. Their ability to guide and moderate the debate could have a decisive effect on how the public perceives President Biden, former President Donald J. Trump, and CNN, which will be hosting the debate. Here’s what you need to know about Tapper.
work: CNN’s chief Washington correspondent and anchor of “The Lead.”
Year: 55.
Bio: Tapper began her career as a reporter at Washington City Paper and Salon, then reported from Iraq and Afghanistan for ABC News, eventually becoming a senior White House correspondent, before joining CNN in 2013.
Discussion: Tapper has moderated numerous primary debates hosted by CNN, including two with Trump during the 2016 Republican primaries, and also moderated the Democratic debate between Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in 2020.
style: Tapper is steeped in political history — his CNN offices are wallpapered with campaign materials from losing candidates — and on-air he can be professorial or pompous, the latter of which was especially evident in some of his best-known interviews, including his grilling of Kellyanne Conway for 25 minutes in 2018.
Points to note: Tapper has never been shy about interrupting rambling politicians or presidential candidates who try to hijack the debate stage. Trump called him a “fake Tapper” ahead of Thursday’s debate. Trump may directly question Tapper’s objectivity on Thursday, airing his long-standing complaints about CNN.
