A Conversation with Jake Tapper

CNN’s Jake Tapper is one of the most respected people in news today. As CNN’s chief Washington anchor and co-host of “State of the Union,” Tapper has sat down with presidents, covered inaugurations, and continues to interview senators, dignitaries and newsmakers week in and week out.

In his new novel The Devil May Dance, Tapper continues the story started in his previous bestseller, The Hellfire Club. Taking us into the world of political stars Charlie and Margaret Marder, Tapper re-creates the world of the 1960s, complete with backroom deals and secret societies. In this new journey, they befriend dazzling celebrities like Frank Sinatra and must learn to deal with sinister forces from Hollywood’s stages and the newly founded Church of Scientology.

Jake Tapper has covered historical political events such as the inauguration of President Barack Obama and the death of Osama bin Laden. His work has won him several awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Live Coverage of a Current News Story and the Edward R. Murrow Award.

NOTES

This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.

Tapper photo courtesy of CNN.

SPEAKERS

Jake Tapper
Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent, CNN; Author, The Devil May Dance

In Conversation with Clara Jeffery

The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum 📣, bringing together its 20,000 members for more than 400 annual events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society and the economy.

Founded in 1903 in San Francisco California 🌉, The Commonwealth Club has played host to a diverse and distinctive array of speakers, from Teddy Roosevelt in 1911 to Hillary Clinton in 2010. Along the way, Martin Luther King, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton have all given landmark speeches at the Club.

[kimluzzi]

Thanks for mentioning foster care. We adopted our now 12-year-old daughter when she was 6 and our heart is overflowing with love and gratitude.

[d.thurston]

The corruption of most congressional republicans should have been given more scrutiny by yourself, Mr. Tapper. I do appreciate your skills.

[Gwenish]

What you seem to be searching for is that Cheney, et al are - no matter their political stance - truly patriotic Americans.

[misspm]

I believe you need to interview both sides and let them explain their view points.
I dont think you should give air time to any person that spreads LIES, munipulation propaganda or violence. Giving these PPL a national PLATFORM only helps destroy AMERICAS future.

[justmyopinion]

Jake Tapper is one of my favorite journalists. Thank you for this interview.

[annsanse]

kemp stole the governor seat from stacey abrams.

[shelleyharris]

I know first hand of all of this. Blessed to be alive today. Because Justice Matters 🙏⚖🤍

[shelleyharris]

They were all shady, but part of history.

[shipaskof]

Id like to hear news on news channels. All i hear is banter between lemon and cuomo their opinions and those of other anchors pushed on me. I can form my own opinions.

[veritas]

EVERYBODY knows the Sinatra/JFK/Palm Springs story. That's old news. It's been written about by many many others and talked about on many many talk shows. And Sinatra's progressive civil rights activities are well known. Odd that Tapper is so late to find out about all these people, but maybe he's not interested in history. But he does a great Bobby Kennedy imitation. As for the Rat Pack vs the Clooney, Pitt, Roberts crowd, the Rat Pack wins every time. They had vastly more talent, vastly more charm, vastly more charisma than any of their modern day equivalents. Clooney, Pitt.and Roberts can't sing for one thing. And both Ocean's Eleven movies were boring. Even Soderberg's.

[fueu]

HeHe 75% drop in viewers Jake Tapper ;)