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' on weekdays and co-hosts the Sunday morning public affairs program 'State of the Union.' He is a well-known figure in American journalism and political commentary.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2002: Nomination for Columbia University School of Journalism Award

In 2002, Jake Tapper's reports about Enron were nominated for a Columbia University School of Journalism online award.

2005: 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: Tapper ranked number two on Mediaite

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

2010: Merriman Smith Memorial Award

In 2010, Jake Tapper received the Merriman Smith Memorial Award for presidential coverage under deadline pressure from the White House Correspondents' Association.

2010: Merriman Smith Memorial Award for Obama story

In 2010, as the Senior White House Correspondent for ABC News, Jake Tapper won a Merriman Smith Memorial Award for the story that President Obama had asked for the resignation of his 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.

2011: Merriman Smith Memorial Award for Standard and Poor's story

In 2011, Jake Tapper won a Merriman Smith Memorial Award for breaking the story that the ratings agency Standard and Poor's was expected to downgrade the United States' AAA rating for government debt.

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: National Headliner Awards for The Lead with Jake Tapper

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

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2014: Sigma Delta Chi Award

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

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2014: Recognition by Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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

September 2015: Republican primary debate moderation

In September 2015, Jake Tapper moderated a Republican primary debate that drew over 23 million viewers, becoming the most-watched program in CNN's history and the second-most watched primary debate ever.

2016: National Headliner Awards for The Lead

In 2016, The Lead was honored with two National Headliner Awards for its coverage of the November 2015 Paris attacks.

2017: RTDNA John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award

Also in 2017, Jake Tapper was named Radio Television Digital News Association's John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award winner. The award "recognizes an individual's contributions to the journalism profession and freedom of the press."

2017: Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political 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.

2017: Awards in 2017

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

2017: Los Angeles Press Club President's Award

In 2017, the Los Angeles Press Club gave Jake Tapper its President's Award for Impact on Media, citing his willingness to take on politicians from both sides of the aisle during a divisive election and his effective interviewing style.

2018: Merriman Smith Award

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.

2018: Recognition on Mediaite's list

In 2018, Jake Tapper was recognized on Mediaite's list for his "ability to hold Republicans and Democrats to account equally" and "his 2018 noteworthy moments."

2018: Merriman Smith Award for Steele dossier news

In 2018, as a CNN anchor, Jake Tapper was awarded his fourth Merriman Smith Award as part of a team that broke the news that President-elect Donald Trump and President Obama had been briefed on the Steele dossier.

2020: Emmy Award

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: Tapper called 'top dog' by Mediate

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

2022: Emmy Award

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

December 2023: C.J. Rice's conviction overturned

In December 2023, C.J. Rice's conviction was overturned.

2023: Ranked number seven on Mediaite

In 2023, Jake Tapper ranked number seven on Mediaite's list and it was noted that his "skills as an interrogator are arguably unrivaled on cable news right now."

2023: Emmy Award

In 2023, Jake Tapper won an Emmy Award.

March 2024: C.J. Rice exonerated

In March 2024, Jake Tapper broke the news that Pennsylvania had freed C.J. Rice and dropped the charges against him, leading to Rice's exoneration.

2024: Ranked 23rd on Mediaite

In 2024, Jake Tapper was ranked 23rd on Mediaite's list 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 two Emmy Awards: one for Outstanding Live News Special for "A CNN Town Hall: Toxic Train Disaster, Ohio Residents Speak Out", which he hosted, and another for Outstanding Live Breaking News Coverage for being part of the team that covered the Israel-Hamas War.