Jake Tapper's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Jake Tapper. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Jake Tapper is a prominent American journalist currently serving as the lead Washington anchor for CNN. He hosts "The Lead with Jake Tapper," a weekday news program, and co-hosts "State of the Union," a Sunday morning public affairs show. His role involves covering significant political events and interviewing key figures, solidifying his position as a major voice in American political journalism.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2002: Tapper's Enron Reports Nominated for Award

In 2002, Jake Tapper's reports about Enron were nominated for a Columbia University School of Journalism online award, and he questioned the Bush administration's claims about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction.

2005: Tapper Wins Edward R. Murrow Award

In 2005, Jake Tapper contributed a report to a broadcast of World News Tonight with Peter Jennings that won the Edward R. Murrow Award for best network newscast.

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December 2010: Ranked Number Two on Mediaite

In December 2010, Jake Tapper was ranked number two on Mediaite's list of most influential TV-based journalists in America.

2010: Merriman Smith Memorial Award

In 2010, Jake Tapper received a Merriman Smith Memorial Award for reporting that President Obama had requested the resignation of Director of National Intelligence, Admiral Dennis C. Blair (retired).

2011: Merriman Smith Memorial Award

In 2011, Jake Tapper received the Merriman Smith Memorial Award for presidential coverage under deadline pressure from the White House Correspondents' Association.

2012: Merriman Smith Memorial Award

In 2012, Jake Tapper received the Merriman Smith Memorial Award for presidential coverage under deadline pressure from the White House Correspondents' Association.

2013: The Lead with Jake Tapper Wins National Headliner Awards

In 2013, "The Lead with Jake Tapper" won three National Headliner Awards for its reporting, including coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing and Oklahoma tornadoes.

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2014: The Lead Honored for Investigative Reporting on Academic Fraud

In 2014, "The Lead" was honored for a series of reports on academic fraud at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi Award for Investigative Reporting.

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2014: Tex McCrary Award for Excellence in Journalism

In 2014, Jake Tapper was recognized by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society with the Tex McCrary Award for Excellence in Journalism for his book "The Outpost" and his reporting on military topics.

2016: National Headliner Awards for The Lead

In 2016, Jake Tapper's show "The Lead" received two National Headliner Awards for its coverage of the November 2015 Paris attacks, recognizing it as Best Newscast and for Best Coverage of a Major News Event.

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2017: Los Angeles Press Club President's Award

In 2017, Jake Tapper received the Los Angeles Press Club's President's Award for Impact on Media, recognizing his willingness to take on politicians from both sides during a divisive election and his effective interview style.

2017: Tapper Receives Awards for Excellence in Journalism

In 2017, Jake Tapper received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He also received the John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.

2017: RTDNA's John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award

In 2017, Jake Tapper was named Radio Television Digital News Association's John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award winner, which recognizes contributions to journalism and freedom of the press.

2017: Awards in 2017

In 2017, Jake Tapper won multiple awards, including the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism, RTDNA's John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award, CJF's Tribute Award, Moment Magazine's inaugural Robert S. Greenberger Journalism Award, and the Dartmouth Club of Washington's Daniel Webster Award for Distinguished Public Service.

2018: Tapper Wins Merriman Smith Award for White House Reporting

In 2018, Jake Tapper was part of a CNN team that won the Merriman Smith Award for broadcast reporting on the White House under deadline pressure.

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2018: Merriman Smith Award for Steele dossier news

In 2018, Jake Tapper was part of a team that was awarded a Merriman Smith Award for breaking the news that President-elect Donald Trump and President Obama had been briefed on the Steele dossier.

2018: Mediaite Recognition

In 2018, Jake Tapper was recognized on Mediaite for his "ability to hold Republicans and Democrats to account equally" and for his noteworthy moments, including the Parkland town hall and interviews with James Comey and Trump officials.

2018: Vetty Award in 2018

In 2018, Jake Tapper won a Vetty Award for his coverage of veterans' issues. He had also served alongside press corps veterans in Washington, D.C., for 14 years.

2020: The Lead Wins Emmy for "Madua's Blood Gold" Report

In 2020, a report for "The Lead" by correspondent Isa Sores, called "Madua's Blood Gold", was awarded an Emmy.

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2022: Top Dog at CNN according to Mediaite

In 2022, Mediaite called Jake Tapper "the top dog who could represent the CNN brand."

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2022: The Lead Wins Emmy for "9-Year-Old Afghan Sold into Marriage" Story

In 2022, a story by Anna Coren on a "9-Year-Old Afghan Sold into Marriage" for "The Lead" was awarded an Emmy.

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December 2023: C.J. Rice's Conviction Overturned

In December 2023, C.J. Rice's conviction was overturned, following Jake Tapper's reporting on the case in The Atlantic.

2023: Ranked Number Seven on Mediaite

In 2023, Jake Tapper ranked number seven on Mediaite, noted for his unrivaled skills as an interrogator on cable news.

2023: Emmy Awards in 2023

In 2023, Jake Tapper won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Breaking News Coverage as part of the team that covered the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He also won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Live News Special for being one of the co-anchors of "Live from the Capitol: January 6, One Year Later".

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2023: Tapper Wins Emmy Award

In 2023, Jake Tapper won an Emmy Award for his journalism work at CNN.

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March 2024: C.J. Rice Exonerated

In March 2024, C.J. Rice was exonerated after Jake Tapper highlighted his case in The Atlantic, demonstrating the impact of investigative journalism.

March 18, 2024: Tapper broke news of C.J. Rice's exoneration

On March 18, 2024, Jake Tapper broke the news that Pennsylvania had freed and dropped the charges against C.J. Rice, a Philadelphian who had been in prison since 2011. Tapper had written a cover story for The Atlantic called "This Is Not Justice; A Philadelphia Teenager and the Empty Promise of the Sixth Amendment."

2024: Ranked 23rd on Mediaite

In 2024, Jake Tapper was ranked 23rd on Mediaite and recognized as one of America's preeminent anchors, earning headlines for moderating a presidential debate and championing the release of C.J. Rice.

2024: Emmy Awards in 2024

In 2024, Jake Tapper won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Live News Special for hosting "A CNN Town Hall: Toxic Train Disaster, Ohio Residents Speak Out," and for Outstanding Live Breaking News Coverage for being part of the team that covered the Israel-Hamas War.

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