Career Timeline of Chris Hayes: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Chris Hayes built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Chris Hayes is an American political commentator, television news anchor, and author. He hosts "All In with Chris Hayes" on MSNBC, a weekday news and opinion program. Hayes also hosts the weekly MSNBC podcast "Why Is This Happening?" He formerly hosted "Up with Chris Hayes" and serves as an editor-at-large for The Nation magazine, indicating his involvement in political commentary and media.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1917: Espionage Act Criticism

Chris Hayes criticized the United States government's decision to charge WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange under the Espionage Act of 1917.

August 2001: Contributor to Chicago Reader

In August 2001, Chris Hayes began working as a contributor to the independent weekly newspaper Chicago Reader, covering local and national politics.

2003: Senior Editor at In These Times

In 2003, Chris Hayes began a four-year stint as a senior editor at In These Times, a labor-focused monthly magazine based in Chicago.

2005: Schumann Center Writing Fellow

From 2005 to 2006, Chris Hayes was a Schumann Center Writing Fellow at In These Times.

2006: Puffin Foundation Writing Fellow

From 2006 through 2007, Chris Hayes was a Puffin Foundation Writing Fellow at The Nation Institute and a contributing writer for The Nation.

November 1, 2007: Washington, D.C. Editor at The Nation

On November 1, 2007, Chris Hayes was named the Washington, D.C. editor for The Nation, succeeding David Corn.

2008: Adjunct Professor at St. Augustine College and Fellow at New America Foundation

From 2008 to 2010, Chris Hayes was an adjunct professor of English at St. Augustine College in Chicago and a Bernard L. Schwartz fellow at New America Foundation.

2009: Reporting on Public Option Resuscitation

In 2009, Chris Hayes reported on progressive activists' work to resuscitate the "public option" during the healthcare fight.

July 2010: Guest-Hosting The Rachel Maddow Show

In July 2010, Chris Hayes guest-hosted The Rachel Maddow Show while Rachel Maddow was traveling in Afghanistan.

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November 5, 2010: Announcement and Subsequent Backtracking as Fill-in for Keith Olbermann

On November 5, 2010, MSNBC announced that Chris Hayes would be filling in for Keith Olbermann during Olbermann's suspension. However, the network later backtracked after finding out that Hayes had also made political contributions.

2010: Espionage Act Criticism

Chris Hayes criticized the United States government's decision to charge WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange under the Espionage Act of 1917 for his role in the 2010 publication of leaked Iraq War documents.

2010: Adjunct Professor at St. Augustine College and Fellow at New America Foundation

From 2008 to 2010, Chris Hayes was an adjunct professor of English at St. Augustine College in Chicago and a Bernard L. Schwartz fellow at New America Foundation.

2010: Reporting on Public Option Resuscitation

In 2010, Chris Hayes reported on progressive activists' work to resuscitate the "public option" during the healthcare fight.

August 1, 2011: Announcement of Up with Chris Hayes

On August 1, 2011, MSNBC announced that Chris Hayes would host a two-hour morning show on Saturdays and Sundays, delving into current issues.

September 17, 2011: First Airing of Up with Chris Hayes

On September 17, 2011, the first airing of Up with Chris Hayes took place, featuring a live interview with Nancy Pelosi.

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May 27, 2012: Controversial Comments on Heroism

On May 27, 2012, during Memorial Day Weekend, Chris Hayes made controversial comments on air regarding the use of the word "heroism" when referring to American servicemen killed in action.

June 2, 2012: Discussion on Heroism Comments and Disconnect between Civilians and Military

On June 2, 2012, Chris Hayes devoted a discussion on his show to his comments about heroism and the disconnect between civilians and the military.

June 2012: Publication of Twilight of the Elites

In June 2012, Chris Hayes's first book, Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy, was published by Crown Publishing Group.

Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy

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March 14, 2013: Hayes Takes Over Ed Schultz's Time Slot

On March 14, 2013, MSNBC announced that Chris Hayes would take over the time slot formerly hosted by Ed Schultz, who would move to the weekends. At 34 years old, Hayes became the youngest host of a prime-time show on any of the country's major cable news channels.

April 1, 2013: Premiere of All In with Chris Hayes

On April 1, 2013, All In with Chris Hayes, Chris Hayes's first prime-time show, premiered.

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2015: Emmy Win for All In with Chris Hayes

In 2015, Chris Hayes's show "All In with Chris Hayes" won an Emmy.

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March 2017: Publication of A Colony in a Nation

In March 2017, Chris Hayes's second book, A Colony in a Nation (about the US criminal justice system), was published by W. W. Norton.

A Colony in a Nation

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April 2017: Featured Author at L.A. Times Festival of Books

In April 2017, Chris Hayes was a featured author at the L.A. Times Festival of Books, which took place at the campus of University of Southern California (USC).

2017: Participation in Brooklyn Book Festival

In 2017, Chris Hayes participated in the Brooklyn Book Festival (BKBF).

May 2018: Launch of Why Is This Happening? podcast

In May 2018, Chris Hayes launched a weekly podcast called Why Is This Happening?, featuring interviews with political figures, activists, journalists, writers, and academics.

November 2018: First Live Episode of Why Is This Happening?

In November 2018, the first live episode of Chris Hayes's podcast Why Is This Happening? was recorded at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, New York, with author Ta-Nehisi Coates.

2018: Second Emmy Win for All In with Chris Hayes

In 2018, Chris Hayes's show "All In with Chris Hayes" won another Emmy.

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February 24, 2019: Second Live Episode of Why Is This Happening?

On February 24, 2019, Chris Hayes held his second live episode of Why Is This Happening?, featuring an interview with Georgia politician and activist Stacey Abrams.

January 28, 2025: Publication of The Sirens' Call

On January 28, 2025, Chris Hayes' third book, The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource, was published by Penguin Random House. The book discusses attention economics and society.